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Original poster

is there a family out there who still all eat together around the table?

144 replies

cutekids · 23/01/2006 19:36

just wondering as it's very rare that we do. hubbie comes in fairly late at night-if he's not working away!-and i can't keep the kids waiting for their tea so they have theirs when they come home from school.

OP posts:

Misspiggy · 25/01/2006 14:13

ggglimpopo...long, leisurely meals sound wonderful It seems to be DH and DSs' mission to clear their plates as quickly as possible. Quite often I'm left with an audience of 3 as I eat more slowly than they do because I'm attempting to make conversation at the table!

honeybunny · 26/01/2006 13:49

We only get the chance to eat together as a family on Sundays due to dh work committments. During the week I will sit at the table for all 3 meals, although its usually only with dd at lunchtime as the boys are at school/pre-school. We're at the stage where I have to sit down to encourage and assist dd (13mo) with her food and to stop her tipping her chair over backwards!! I then encourage the boys (3 + 5) to help clear the table and tidy up a bit. Dh has a plate of food to warm up when he gets home, and with no extra washing up to do, it makes the evenings seem longer so more chance to chat and chill over a glass of wine.

tarantula · 26/01/2006 14:16

We eat together every evening at the table as soon as I get in from work. Dp usually has dinner ready. Dd (2) 'sets' the table (with a bit of help) and we always have mats (dd is VERY insistant on this) and mostly napkins (unless they are all in the wash).
The only time we have the tv on is if Sunday dinner/tea coincides with Antiques Roadshow which doesnt happen very often tbh.
Sometimes as a treat we will ahve a picnic in the front room generally if we are having picnic type food like rapid refiredbeans and chicken wraps etc. We spread out a big cloth to catch any mess and its great fun.

sansouci · 26/01/2006 20:21

I feed dd & ds at 6:30 during the week & sit at the table with them. I actually dread this part of the day unless they're having pasta! They are so fussy - drives me mad. dh & I eat later after dc are in bed. We all eat together on weekends though & there's definitely less whinging then.

cat64 · 26/01/2006 21:32

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cat64 · 26/01/2006 21:33

This reply has been deleted

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aliminimad · 30/01/2006 22:28

We ALWAYS eat together, even before kids were old enough to eat they sat in their high chair with us at the table and sucked on carrot sticks. It's important family time, catch up on what's happened at work / home and be together as a family. It makes eating less stressful as the kids look forward to it. My two have always had good appetites and attitudes towards food. HATE that Bisto have stolen this idea!!!!

paolosgirl · 30/01/2006 22:32

We do as much as possible during the week, and always at the weekend. It's where we have our best laughs, and it helps to develop their table manners and conversation. Can be a bit sressful sometimes , but definitely worth it.

ernest · 31/01/2006 15:10

yes, always eat every meal at table. dh not always home during week, but always eat 3 meals, plua 1/2 snack times at table with evryone who's present present iyswim.

Never eat in front of tv.

expatinscotland · 31/01/2006 15:13

We do. Every evening. Even the baby comes to join us. Will continue to do so. Growing up, you had to have a very, very good excuse to get out of eating at the table.

gscrym · 31/01/2006 15:32

Apparantly everyone in the latest Bisto add, one night a week!

funnygirl · 31/01/2006 15:37

Baby and I eat all our meals at the table but at her dinner I normally have just a cup of tea and a biccy with her. DH doesnt come home until 6ish on a good night and could be 9ish if working late. Mostly we eat whatever dinner we have on our laps in front of tv. When friends and family are round and when DH has his days off we eat at the table.

Bozza · 31/01/2006 16:32

Yes expat my babies were always dragged into the kitchen in their bouncy chairs. DD was actually sat in a high chair (padded reclined type) at mealtimes when she was still fully breastfed. I started to give her rice cakes to play with. I am a dragon.

BROWNY · 31/01/2006 16:37

Yes!! Always have, even my youngest ds 19 months sits in his highchair with us. When he was really tiny, he screemed to be at the same height as us, so off we went to Mothercare when he was only 3 months old. We bought the type that reclines so he was comfy.

We always used to eat together when I was at home, mum used to insist on it, infact, I can't remember ever eating my tea on my lap in front of the t.v.

BROWNY · 31/01/2006 16:38

sorry, 'screamed'

Filyjonk · 31/01/2006 16:47

Yes all 4 of us dinner, me and kids at lunch, breakfast all 4 together at weekends.

Both kids will eat anything and never sleep, so it suits us.

SiobhanW · 31/01/2006 16:48

I am writing this when the rest of you are probably up to the proverbials in " sit down, no you can't, honestly it's lovely" mode as I'm working late - but Yes we do try to eat with dd(3) and ds(17) as often as is human(e)ly possible during the week.

Always at the table at weekends when DS has various teenage friends over who seem to arrive at about 12ish and leave ( sometimes) at about midnight and appear to enjoy joining in with the general mayhem at home - including eating (and drinking)us out of it!!

Friday night sacrosanct "special" meal to catch up with everyone then DD off to bed and DS, DH DS's friends, our friends and I play poker!

fsmail · 01/02/2006 23:06

When I was a teenager we never ate as a family apart from Sunday dinner and that is still special to me know although not to DH as he always ate as a family. I always eat with the kids as it seems easier but DH back too late so his goes in the oven for when he gets back. I still do the table at weekends though. It is funny how DH who grew up with it hates it and I love it as did not grow up with it. Perhaps my kids will hate it too.

Aloha · 01/02/2006 23:09

The children eat at the kitchen table with me and chat and throw their food on the floor and generally have a chimps tea party. But dh and i usually slump in front of the TV and eat. Keep meaning to eat at the table, but really rather like being couch potatoes.

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