Every night our family faces the same dilemma: Do we wait for David to eat dinner? I believe in the importance of families sitting down to eat dinner together. Some of my fondest memories growing up took place around the dinner table. But David is almost never home until after 6:30 and my kids (and I) are STARVING by the then. Waiting also prolongs the evening routine. Bathtime and bedtime become ordeals and I turn into a not-so-nice Mom. On the other hand, having David eat with us also changes the atmosphere in our home. He is able to mediate and give me the break I need before facing the final push of the day. So, that's our dilemma. How do you handle it?
About Me
- Jessi
- Mom of five lovely daughters, wife of one dashing man. Born in Utah, grew up in Oregon, live in Georgia.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Dinner-time dilemma
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6 comments:
We occasionally have the same dillemma. It all end up depending on how the day has gone. If the kids are in need of going to be on time, we don't wait, and daddy gets to give them baths to make sure he gets time with them. But I totally agree with the family dinner thing. I grew up in a house where a television was in the same room as the dining room table. I vowed at 17 that my home would never be like that. Family dinner is vital. So we USUALLY end up waiting by having a large snack at 3pm. Good luck!
I would go ahead with the dinner when everyone is hungry and then have some other family-sit-down-together-and-talk thing when David gets home. (Maybe scripture reading??) Mindy's idea to have the Dad give the baths might work to give David time to be with the girls and you to have a break.
I agree with what these other women have to say! Either eat a big snack around 3 or eat and have David help with bathtime. :)
Here is the compromise that Dale and I have come up with. Dinner is at 6:00 every night. He agreed to be home two nights a week for dinner. We agreed on Monday and Wednesday. That way my kids aren't starving and we have dad a couple of times a week. We also agreed that on Tuesday he can stay as late as he needs to make up for it. I have found that when I am not stressing about whether to hold dinner for him I actually enjoy dinner with the kids even though I am alone. Dale even surprises me and shows up at 6:00 on nights that I am not expecting him and that makes it even funner. The other nights his plate is normally made and in the fridge.
If I know Dave is going to be home anytime before 7:30 but after 6:30, I bathe the kids and have them in their jammies BEFORE dinner (string cheese holds them over). Then we all sit down together. If Dave isn't going to be home, I sit down with them at 6, and Dave is at least home to read them a story by 8. Good post...I've been thinking a lot about this too.
Mike is either there all day or not at all (in the night) so luckily this isn't a dilemma I have had to deal with.
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