Sunday, January 12, 2014

We must bring back family mealtime chatting!

I grew up in a family where almost every meal was a sit down with the family and chat time. Although as we grew up it became less and less possible at breakfast and lunch, everyone had different schedules but dinner time stayed the same. Everyone had to show up at the dinner table at the same time, any late arrivals were expected to provide good reason.
But it wasn't just eating together, it was more talking to each other that was special. We talked about school, about issues with friends, family plans for the coming weekend or holidays, extended family updates, dad's job news, mom's social news, current affairs, and just anything and everything. We knew all the names of my mom's friends, dad's colleagues, and each others friends, enemies and frenemies too! And our parents were aware of what was happening in each of our lives. We shared, supported, discussed, advised, joked and teased throughout dinner. Basically we bonded and were constantly reminded that we were together and never alone.
Interestingly when I used to mention chatter at my house to friends, it became quite clear that this wasn't prevalent in every household. The friends who didn't get to sit down to eat and talk with family everyday expressed envy and unhappiness. That made me appreciate those family mealtimes at home even more!
That is also why it was no surprise, when today I read this piece of news 'Talking at mealtimes boosts children's confidence' on BBC World News, announcing that after studying about 35,000 UK children, they had come to the conclusion that eating meals together with family while chatting with each other was a confidence booster. I can only hope that when they do sit down to eat and talk to each other, the kids and parents leave their electronic devices in some other room! :)

P.S:
Talking at mealtimes boosts children's confidence

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