In all cultures throughout recorded history, family meals have been an honored ritual for sharing food and providing an opportunity for family members to connect with one another.
There is something totally relaxing about sitting around the table with friends and family sharing a good meal. It sets the stage for us to value our family relationships, rather than take them for granted. Having meals together as a family also keeps us in touch, allowing us to trouble-shoot problems in daily living, as well as be aware of our family members’ activities and life experience. It is in the family group that we develop an ability to discuss, to express our opinions, to be ourselves and allow others to be themselves. We feel less alone in the world when we know there are people who love and care about us, no matter what we are going through.
As for our family, we always try to grasp an opportunity to spend some time gathered around the dinner table. It’s a kind of ritual in our family and it is not just about eating together. We enjoy deciding what to make for dinner. We make choices and plan a balanced meal. We also help mom shop for ingredients and prepare the meal. We often have a kind of family reunion around the table. On weekends we usually invite some of our relatives over to have a meal. We share the latest news and discuss family needs and plans for activities.
I think that family meals in particular helped me develop important social skills such as table manners, taking turns speaking and listening to the person speaking. Having meals together taught me respect adult and get along with them. I love and appreciate our family meals.