The Dinner Table
The importance of family dinners is indescribable.
But I’ll try anyway. Family dinners are a source of comfort and bonding. A crucial time to open up and get a glimpse of what is going on in one another’s life. A moment in time where a member of the family would be as vulnerable as they ever could. Family dinners shape us, it dares us to share something so profound and so intimate that it could change the course of our whole entire life!
Family dinners, though happen for a moment, stay with us through our whole entire lives. They help us become the person we are today and build core memories for each member of the family. Eating together as a family is one of the most valuable and important thing we could do for our family. Even if we never cook a day in our life, even if we order take out every single night; Please, endeavor to have family dinners nightly.
Family dinners are crucial, they help to build confidence and a sense of hope and security. They help us feel that no matter what we have each other and that will never ever change. When we have family dinners, we also help our children and their children do the same. We start a new culture within our family and we help to change the generations from private and secretive, to secure and open with one another. That whenever there is an issue, from the most minor thing to an earth-shattering event we would be the first to know. A built in support system, a confidence booster and a safe place.
So now that we know the importance of family dinners, what can we talk about while having them? Bright and cheerful topics are always welcome, but let us also allow our family to speak freely about their day. After all, home is the place where they should feel the most comfortable and we wouldn’t want them to get the wrong advise elsewhere. We want the members of our family to be open and honest as well as to feel secure and confident. Also, let us keep in mind that sometimes people wish to vent. So let them. Be a comforting ear, a shoulder to cry on, a warm embrace. I’m a fixer, I like to fix issues and I always try to have a solution to a problem. But I am learning that sometimes people just need to talk. Let’s let them, and if we are unsure if they need advise we can simply ask. Ask if they want comfort, advise or both. With enough practice (LORD willing) we will be able to discern whether they need a solution or a hug.
Have some fun talking points in case no one else is bringing up. Family jokes and chatter are a great way to bond and strengthen that family connection, which is always a great thing. You can also rotate the person that should have some dinner talking points for that day. That way, all the pressure is not only on one person. Also, the rest of the family is also heavily involved in the topics which will be a great thing as it will open up the family dynamic even more and give the family some great and interesting topics to speak together about. Topics that we might not have thought of otherwise.
Dinner talking topics guide
Here are somethings that you may wish to talk about during family dinner:
Tell a story - Get creative and tell a story. Have everyone come up with the next sentence of the story for a fun and silly story that will have everyone laughing for days.
Tell jokes - Have a joke telling contest. Every member of the family should come with their best jokes. Go around the table and have every one tell a joke. The winner will get to select a dessert (or choice of dinner)that week as their prize. Bonus if you do best 2 out of 3.
Current events - Have someone study up on some current events and inform everyone else during the dinner table. There is always something interesting and new going on.
Fun facts - Similarly, a member of the family can learn about some fun and little known facts. Present them to the rest of the family during dinner time for a very educational dinner.
Game show - Have a mini game show during dinner time. Pick a topic and have the family answer questions based on that topic. It can be anything from Bible trivia to animal facts. Have a prize ready for the person who gets the most correct answers.
These are just a few ideas for some family dinner topics. While they can be fun to do, the most important thing is that we actually sit down together as a family unit and be there for one another. No matter how hectic the day may be, be sure you have at least one meal together as a family. If it can’t be dinner, then make it breakfast. But please, let’s make an effort to have a meal together. Children grow up and leave the home but they will always have those wonderful and precious memories around the dinner table.
