DINING AND THE KIDS

DINING AND THE KIDS 

I don't know why my parents stopped eating at the dining table, no wonder they usually have little fights stay longer now before it is settled.
While I was five (5) and my sister was seven (7) we dare not eat till our parents were back from work? My Mom wouldn't eat till her husband gets back and Dad wouldn't eat till his wife return home too!
These has been the eating pattern we observe in our home!
Now I am eleven(11) and my elder sister is thirteen (13) Nobody gives a damn about where you eat!

But I give a damn to look deep into the difference.
My parents argue a lot these days and end up with unsettled issues.

My sister no longer talks about her school activities which was something I enjoyed listening to after eating.

And me! I have grown to be an introvert who doesn't talk because my family wasn't bonded any longer to the place where we all used to talk.
That's the DINING TABLE

WE talk before meal(s), say our prayers and eat.
We talk after meals, Clear the dishes and everyone either get into their rooms or engage in something else depending on which meal time it was: (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Several times, anyone who didn’t have the opportunity to talk at breakfast would talk at lunch or at dinner. But there is always a time to talk.

This talk isn't planned for, you know! It just happened, because everyone is Present...

A FAMILY THAT EATS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER

I heard about this statement while in grade six at Elementary school and I felt really bad as to how the ignorance of my parents, and their busy lives has affected the Bonding of Our Dear Family.

Kid two (2) 
Ever since my Dad stopped eating at the dining, the family's relationship had been affected. Some years back! My dad would scold you if you dare send(s) his children away from the dining to avoid them spilling the neatly arranged table dressings ! Or to avoid them scattering the well arranged dining table. Dad would scream : "Is the dining for a decoration?"
Little did I realize that at the table I subconsciously relates everything that happened in school to mom and dad and I smile at the adult jokes my parent throw at each other. What I discovered was that eating together made us bond together.
What you don't say or talk about can become an assumption hence we speak out when we are together in our house. But now! The story has changed.
My parents no longer see it as something we need to do.

Mom eats in her bedroom sometimes dad sit outside to eat. It doesn't mean we are no longer a family but it reduced the level at which we talk to each other at home and now i think I have a lot of things i do that my parents don't know about.

This is what we are saying

Eating together as a family gives you a unique opportunity to connect with your children

It promotes family togetherness..

It improves the academic performance of your children.

It creates chances for healthy meals

Psychologically it makes  your children happier

Hence! to the Parents we Write!

Do not neglect the table alter, where eating, praying and talking is made easier for everyone in the family.

Hey! We not neglecting the table manners that state: do not talk while eating but we are insinuating that talking can take place immediately after eating while we’re still sitting at OUR DINING ROOM.


Yetunde ADEDOKUN 🇳🇬

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