Eating Together

Philippines
February 13, 2008 7:28am CST
They say that it is important that family eat together. That it's a nice time for a family to catch up with what's happening to each other. But sometimes, we can't always do that even when we want to. How important is it to you that family eat at least a meal together? Do you still do it in your home?
2 people like this
5 responses
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
13 Feb 08
Everyday we eat our dinners together. In the weekend its all three meals. Since its only the three of us we do everything together.
• Philippines
14 Feb 08
Hi there maddysmommy! Thank you very much for your response. That's really great. There's only three of us too. My husband, me and our five-year old son. I think it's really easier to do it in our case compared to big families.
• Indonesia
13 Feb 08
It's important, yes. Our family used to do that before, long time ago. Even we pray together. That's a very nice moment. But recently we don't do that any longer, because of our different activity.
• Philippines
14 Feb 08
Hi there sutanharnto! Thank you very much for your response. Yeah, aside from having meals together, praying together is really nice too. I never experienced that when I was a kid that's why we're doing it now that I have my own family. I know time will come that my son will grow up and we may not be able to do that anymore when he's working, or something just like what happened to you. But I guess on their formative years, it's nice that they'll feel good in doing it and that they may carry the habit when they grow up and have their own family.
@fizzytom (752)
• Maribor, Slovenia
13 Feb 08
At home there's just my boyfriend and me but I was brought up to eat always at the table and with the family. My brother brought his children up like that too. It's important because it shows children how to behave and because it provides a chance to take a rest and catch up with what everyone has been doing all day. I would say families should do everything they can to eat together at least once a day.
• Philippines
13 Feb 08
Hi there fizzytom! That's really nice. I agree that even if families can't eat a meal together, just doing anything together once a day, anything at all will definitely do. Thank you very much for your response.
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
13 Feb 08
I rarely eat with my kids unless we're having a "nice dinner" at the dining room table. For one, most of the foods they like for dinners aren't what I care to eat, and two, our kitchen table has only 3 chairs. Yes, I know, I should make a point of eating with my sons more, and I can honestly say I don't really know why I don't. There aren't any excuses except perhaps laziness on my part? Or wanting to enjoy a few minutes of quiet while they're eating and I can get some things done around the house?
• Philippines
14 Feb 08
Hi there CanadaGal! Thank you very much for your response. Yeah, I also do that when I'm on a diet. There was a time for months when I did no-rice diet, and that's almost impossible here because in the Philippines, we eat rice two to three times a day. So to keep myself from being tempted, I don't eat with my husband and my son. Then when I got used to the diet, I just sit with them and talk while drinking tea or juice while they're eating. I understand how mothers need some time alone and when that's the only time that you can have it, then it's perfectly understandable.
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
13 Feb 08
Hello,angel! yes,it is true that many problems are sorted out in the dinner table.you know the politicians or the senior executives of different companies meet usually in dinner table for discussion and sort out solutions.similarly if we sit together at least at dinner time to dine and discuss our problems,share every body's feelings and thoughts our relationship gets stronger and we feel good enough.it also helps one relieving from stress or depression.as during day time combined family lunch is not always possible you may take your lunch with your friends in your working place.this will enhance your relationship with your colleagues and your boss.i had been dinning with my family members for the last sixty years and enjoying my life happily.thank you.
• Philippines
14 Feb 08
Hi there bbsr13! Thank you very much for your response. Yeah, I noticed that too. How important meetings are done over a meal. I think it really affect the concerned parties mood. That's really great that you value sharing meals with your family and is able to do it too.