I grew up in a home where we had a delicious, homemade family dinner every single night. We all loved it. I have fond memories of all sitting around the table and reconnecting at the end of the day and bonding as a family. I know there lots of research out there supporting this as well, that kids generally stay away from drugs, do better in school and are emotionally more healthy who have family dinner every night. Ben and I have always felt strongly in making this a must for our family. Most nights Ben isn't home in time for dinner, but I still set the table and sit down and eat with the boys.
I am realizing, however, that those fond memories I have of growing up with family dinner are of my teenage years. Doing family dinner with a baby (who demands food and fast and then is done in 11 minutes) and a 3 year old (who seriously takes one whole hour to eat 12 bites of food at dinner while his bored baby brother screams and mom frantically tries to keep one eating and the other entertained) isn't the same as 4 fairly well behaved kids/teenagers. My mom keeps reminding me that this is a process- this is what kids this age do- and if we keep trying one day we'll have the idealistic family dinners full of loving and stimulating conversation I'm envisioning.
Carly Thornock captured our dinnertime so well:
Hahaha, that picture of Chase is classic! I have to say that Smith family dinners (at least the ones that include extra Braden/Izatt guests that I have therefore attended) are pretty awesome, but your little Hugo family dinners look pretty entertaining in their own right :).
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