by Danielle Reid

Created on: October 31, 2008

It's all about quality time. Each household...whether it be one- or two-parent, step family, etc....needs to have a strong family unit. That may seem like a difficult thing to do these days. Teenagers have extra-curricular activities and after-school jobs. Smaller children seem sometimes only interested in television. Either both parents work or one has two jobs. Family members just don't have a lot of time to spend together.

And then, there are the ever-present and habit-forming, not to mention convenient, fast food restaurants. Who wants to spend time cooking when you can just grab something that's ready-made without even getting out of the car, right? This is becoming a frighteningly all-too-familiar phenomenon. No one wants to take the time to sit down together in their own home at the dining room/kitchen table (not on tray tables in the living room watching TV).

I realize that only a very small percentage of people would be able to do this every day. There truly is a lot going on in many people's lives. On nights that you honestly won't have the time to cook, grab the food from the restaurant of your choice, take it home, THEN set the table and eat. Our children require the knowledge that we think they are important enough and love them enough to MAKE the time for them.

When I was young, practically every night in our home included a full (not necessarily elaborate) meal. The table was set, and everyone sat down to eat and talk to each other. Sometimes it was about inconsequential matters, and other times it was more important. But ALWAYS it meant something.

When my brother and I were in high school, my parents began to go out sometimes on their own. This is a completely understandable thing for them to want to do. They deserved it. And still, the majority of the time, we enjoyed our evening meal together.

I have tried to carry on this tradition with my own children. I want them, also, to experience the feeling of unity that family dinners can bring. It makes you feel close and comfortable with each other.

Involve everyone with the dinner. Each person can help with some part of the preparation. One of the children can set the table and one can clear. This and washing and drying the dishes can be done in turns so everyone isn't always doing the same thing. By involving the children in the whole process of the meal, you are helping to teach them responsibility along with the lesson on family unity.

Obviously, most people don't have the opportunity, in this day and age, to have dinners like this every night or maybe even a majority of nights in a week. So, pick just one.

My mother, for instance, has decided to renew her tradition of family dinners. However, it has only been mom and dad for quite a few years now, so every evening just isn't going to work. What she has decided is to designate Sunday as family night. She chooses new recipes to try (since it's only one night, she wants it to be more elaborate), and makes a complete meal. My brother is unable to be present as he now lives in New York, but my family and I go, and we have a wonderful meal together.

This can truly be a relationship-strengthening, or -building, experience. Do it for yourself, but especially, for your children. This is the simplest way of having quality time. After all, everyone has to eat.

Pick a night if need be, make a dinner, and MAKE IT COUNT.

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