Teens and holdiay dinners
Posted by:
Dorothy Stahlnecker on
November 20, 2007 at
6:50AM EST
I previously wrote about the importance of family dinners and received a few comments regarding how hard they would be as a result of work and school activity schedules. My comments were never meant as criticism, they were suggestions as to the forgotten power of a family dinner.
If you feel your already stretched to the limit. (and I've been there) And it's impossible to schedule regular family gatherings, sitting around the table and breaking bread.... Schedule a time where the family gets together, order or make home made pizza, something they all love to eat. Take the time to have a meal together and just talk. Don't consider it something which has to be done everyday. Just do one and see how it goes. figure out a time, even if it has to be a Sunday morning for breakfast. Eventually get the kids to pitch in and help with the menu picking or even the cooking. Sometime during the month when everyone can be together.
If it's once a month or twice a year, it's better then no time at all. Many of us have crazy schedules, however we all have to eat. Similar to the power lunch, much can be accomplished when a family sits down and begins eating together. You may not realize the importance to begin with. However, I'm betting if you try this a few times, you'll be amazed at what you'll learn.
Start by asking small questions, how was your day? Anything exciting going on in your life. Later ask if they are aware of any issues in school they'd like to share. Use the words share, so they don't think it's required rather voluntary. Let them know you are genuinely interested in what they might have to say. They may resist as first, keep trying in a non threatening way. Become interested in what they're doing. Ask yourself, what you would like to know and begin slowly. This is not an easy task. However, the rewards might be priceless. As you do this more often, you might find you don't even have to ask.the conversation will just flow.
With the holidays approaching, think about what meals you would like your family celebrating together. Plan the dates early so everyone has a chance to work the date into their schedules. Our family started Thanksgiving dinner two weeks ago. We have a large extended family and getting together is like playing Chinese Checkers. We did it. And now we're planning our Christmas dinners as well. We're finishing our 4th family dinner for Thanksgiving and I imagine Christmas will be the same very busy.
Here's hoping you'll give it a try. Start slow, and don't worry about how many times you do this. Just get one dinner committed, holiday or just supper together and let me now how it goes. It's very rare, that families in the end, won't enjoy each others company. This is not a contest or lecture, it's a suggestion as to how to enjoy your family one more way. For those of us, already having fun with family gatherings, share the joy.
My best.
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://grammology.com
(2) Comments
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sj, good for you, remember your in charge, and in the end your creating good habits for your family. They may resist for years and then all of a sudden they'll surprise you and start doing the same in their grown up families. Thanks for reading..and commenting..
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://grammology.com
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Posted by: sj on November 21, 2007 10:35AM EST
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