At our house, we really do try to have dinner together most nights. On Tuesdays, when the three boys have music lessons at two different times, and on Saturdays, when either my husband and I, or one or two of the boys is likely out with friends, family dinners don't usually happen. But most other nights, they do. I've been using my slow-cooker more often, so that we can come home to a hot meal. And I'm also good at big batch cooking (especially spaghetti sauce) and freezing, so meal prep-time is short and easy. Most Sunday nights especially, we eat together at home, since I don't have to work and have plenty of time to cook a "real dinner."
This past Sunday, I had a pot roast in the slow-cooker and homemade pea soup on the stove (I make great pea soup - thanks to my Mom's recipe!) and I fully expected we'd eat in. But the boys started whining/complaining that we hadn't gone out to eat as a family in quite some time, which I guess is true. I also don't think they were thrilled with the pot roast concept (some of my slow-cooker experiments have been less than stellar). In any case, my husband capitulated and since we had two coupons that were about to expire for a local chain restaurant, even my "Saving with 6abc" side gave in. Besides, the pot roast and pea soup would be easy to heat up for Monday night.
Our dinner out actually turned out to be a great meal. And I'm not talking about the food - it was OK, nothing phenomenal. And the service at the restaurant was actually really, really slow. But the meal was great because the five of us all sat at the table with nothing else to do but talk while we waited for food. I wasn't jumping up to check pots, or clear one course and serve the next. There was no TV in the background, no phone ringing (and we never allow texting at the table). Really, I don't remember much of what we all talked about - I'm sure there was some discussion of football and other sports (there always is), but I do remember we were laughing a lot and telling some stories about when the boys were younger.
When we went home, we all watched the Grammy's together (until our various bedtimes) - but even that was a change, because usually the teens watch downstairs, so they can text or iChat with their friends as they watch shows, while Terry and I get the "big" TV. We continued to talk - about the merits of Taylor Swift, about Pink's amazing performance, and Beyonce's general gorgeousness. And it turned out to be a great family night.
It'll be years before I have my own proof about whether all those studies touting the benefits of family dinners are correct. But I know for one night at least, a relaxing family dinner was good for us.
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To read more about the benefits of family dinners, check out these links:
Time Magazine (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1200760,00.html)
ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=1123055&page=1)
Read more Parenting Perspective blogs by visiting the Parenting Channel on 6abc.com.
