Does everyone eat away from the table these days?
When I was growing up, the only place we were allowed to eat was the table, or outside in summer.
As I often work over tea time, my boys have gotten into the habit of eating in their rooms whilst playing on the PS4.
I think I’ve made a huge mistake in allowing this to occur, as no one speaks to each other, food is left in rooms, and my family doesn’t feel like a family anymore.
I really want everyone at the table for the evening meal at least but one of my boys absolutely refuses to eat unless he’s in his room and watching TV. He has other behavioural issues and I’m not sure whether to insist or not.
What does everyone else do at meal times?
Eating at table or not
Eating at table or not
Posted in:
Parenthood Guilt, Food, Health & Wellbeing, Behaviour, Teenagers, Tips and Advice
14 Replies
Same, we got lazy then I changed it back. Demanding to eat in his room in front of his television is the height of spoilt, I think you should definitely put your foot down, theres a huge benefit to eating together, they dont get to sulk and say no. If theres a reason he cant be at the table with you all, that does not mean he gets to be in his room with the tv on. If youre whipping them all into shape, it has to be a no way to that.
We eat at the table every night. Have done so for 19 years.
We eat at the table usually but we do have easy nights where we sit where we want. Just turn the WiFi off and watch them all come out then.
We sit at the table with no technology allowed. Once a week/fortnight we usually do a movie night and eat in front of the tv
We eat meals at the table, either outside or inside.
The only time we wouldn’t is when we have an extended family event and there isn’t room at the table for everyone or when we have an adult party so the kids are allowed to have a little food party in one of the bedrooms.
We eat together most nights except for movie night Friday night in front of the TV.
We eat at a table, inside or outside. No tv, no phones (kids are in primary school)
We do eat out alot to break it up.
We eat all meals at the table (I enforce this strongly) however if we have takeaway on a special night we sit and watch a movie on TV together whilst we eat it :)
Table every night, even if it’s a bbq then we sit on the outside table .... the kids are occasionally allowed to eat on the trampoline if it’s sausages.
Edit ..... I have children with alternate needs. Once my kids are old enough to live on their own what they do is their choice but in my home it’s at the table or the dogs get it.
We don't even own a kitchen table anymore. We all eat over the coffee table or in the court yard where we have two gorgeous outdoor settings. But my kids are late teens and know to clean up after themselves,
so a different era
Dinner must be at the table. Thats my house rule. And we dont have our phones or any technology either. Also dislike TV being on but it is sparingly on during dinner.
The rest of the meals are where ever.
Take the TV'S out of their bedrooms to start with. Having only one or two TV's in the house will also bring the family back together. Deciding what to watch together, taking turns, negotiating, compromising etc. We eat at the table together most nights and have the rule of no phones or tablets at the table while eating. Some nights we do have a lazy eat on the lounge night but 95% of time is at the table
I used to insist on eating at the table until I realised that it sucked! Now we only do it occasionally for “special event” type meals. I took the pressure off myself and it became much more enjoyable when it does happen. We eat together in the lounge room and watch tv and have a cuddle after. Sometimes we even give each other massages. My 8 year olds are very proud of their footrub skills!
Firstly you are their mum! If you want them to eat at the table then make it happen. Stop allowing this to happend. Technology goes away until they can eat at the table and clean up
Their dishes ( Atleast scrape their plates and put them in the sink for you ) it’s not too much to ask. Unfortunately is tired busy mums do what is easier but it’s not always the best way. Don’t let this take away any more quality time with your kids. You only get this time once. Use that time to talk to the kids! Set your rules and stick to them including your own technology. My kids don’t have any technology. It destroys communication, creates anxiety and takes away these moments that we will never get back. I don’t allow technology for these reasons. So you could Atleast take it away or ban it from 5-7pm allow for dinner and clean up their mess. Start to make a plan and stick to it. Be tough on them! You are mum!