Community Corner

Do You Sit Down To Dinner Every Night?

Our Woburn Patch Moms Council weighs in on the issue.

Our  feature on Woburn Patch is part of an initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Woburn Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Woburn.

Each week in , our Woburn Patch Moms Council of experts and smart moms will take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Find out what's happening in Woburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today with a question from a local mom and some answers from our Woburn Patch Moms Council: 

Q. Does your family have regular sitdown dinners? If so, why? If not, why not?

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A: Most weeknights our family doesn't manage to sit down to dinner all at the same time, but it's mainly an issue of work hours and toddler appetite.  My 18-month-old generally needs to eat by 6 p.m., but I rarely manage to get home by then.  We've worked out a weekday system that involves one parent feeding the toddler and another cooking dinner for the grown-ups.  Then, on weekends, we aim to have dinner for everybody ready by 6 p.m.

We do regularly have breakfast together, though.  It was important to both my husband and me that we have family meals, so we get up a little bit early and all have our morning meal together.  Even though it means a little less sleep, I'm grateful for the time (and it often produces some of the biggest laughs I get all day!)

A: I think this is a wonderful question. My husband is fortunate enough to be able to go into work very early and come home early, so family dinner-time is a daily meal at our house. It is always at the dining room table, even on those nights we treat for take-out. Most nights, it is a pleasant experience, but since we have a 2-year-old, it does have its ups and downs. I honestly believe the positive outweigh the negative. Everyone has a chance to share a part of their day. We each (including our 2-year-old) help in either serving or setting the table.  
If my husband and/or I are going out and not eating dinner with the kids, we make a major effort to sit at the table and spend the time with them.  I believe spending a meal with your child—if it is breakfast, lunch or dinner—helps establish a sense of security, learn the art of conversation, practice table manners and, most importantly, establish a bond with your children. Family memories aren't made with one member on the computer, another in their bedroom.  They are made spending time together and in today's world it is especially trying with outside activities and homework.  Put down the phones, turn off the TVs and spend 20 minutes three to four times a week. It doesn't matter for what meal. Even if it's dessert! 

A: Dinner time is an important part of our day.  My husband works evenings, but I have the great fortune of having my mother and sister living with me and, because of that, we sit down to dinner most nights. It is a great time for catching up on everyone's day and it is amazing what a 9-year-old will say when we are all sitting around the table.  We will play a game right after dinner or just sit and talk. When my husband is home on Sunday and Monday nights, we absolutely sit down for dinner; I want him to be able to experience this time with our son as well.  

My mom always had a home-cooked meal on the table (plus a homemade dessert) for eight of us. I knew it was a tradition that was important for me to carry on.


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