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Families that share mealtime together, build a bond with each other, that can be a strong support for life.
In the early years, divorced with three mouths to feed, and very little support from the "missing father", I became obsessed with the dinner table. I remember what my parents presented at the dinner table, and I wanted to expand on their technique.

Mealtime with my parents was always a good, family time. We talked, we laughed, shared our day with the rest of the family. I had a friend who loved to have dinner with us, because at her home, there was "no talking" during meals! No Talking? Her parents said you were there to give grace to God and to eat, not discuss. Needless to say, I did not eat there again... I could not keep my mouth shut.

So I put my plan in motion, once a week, my children and I would have a formal dinner. I would teach them the importance of knowing how to handle oneself while dining in public, and I would also tap into their minds. I could learn a great deal while feeding their bodies.

The table was set with the beautiful china from my wedding, the silver, candles, and crisp white linen napkins. Each week one of the three was chosen to set a "proper" table for the formal dinner. They had to know the correct placement of the silverware, the glasses, just as if we were dining out in a top notch restaurant. And they were loving every minute of it!

The food served may have looked a little plain with such fine table dressings, but the manner in which it was presented, and eaten was definitely high class. It was during this once a week "pretending to be at a upscale eating establishment" that we held our "round table" discussions.

We began with a different person each week, and that person would begin the discussion. It could and sometimes would be on subjects of silliness; IE what color would you be if you were a new crayon, why don't dogs have real toes like people do, if I did not sweat today, why do I have to take a bath tonight?

It was fun, and interesting, and as they grew, it became a salvation to me and to them. At this Mealtime, one not only had to have the manners "that would make this mom proud", but they had the knowledge of which fork to use, proper way to cut and eat piece meat, and to excuse them selves when they rose from the chair. And, they were loving every minute of it!

Mealtimes the rest of the week, were some times rushed, but then slowly they evolved into a close second to the "Once A Week Formal Dinner", with out the fancy table setting. Mealtime became very important to all of us. It became a time and a place where we knew who was going to be there, and we knew what was expected of us, and we were glad that we got to be a part of it.

Mealtime is more important than most people realize to children. It gives them an excuse to be home, they feel as if they have a spot to land, where they do not have to impress, or pretend, they can just be themselves, comfortable in their own skin, comfortable in knowing that their thoughts are important to someone and that someone is you. You will always be their at mealtime to listen, to laugh and to talk, because it is about more than just eating.

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