Now that of I have grown children I can sit back and observe when we are all gathered together. I no longer need to monitor anything. Laughter, tears, bickering, joking, teasing, annoyances, to name only a few of the intricacies of most, and certainly my family dynamics.

Our Martha’s Vineyard vacation last month gifted me many contemplative moments.

The activity level of the group was often rambunctious.The youngest of our brood spanned 7 months to 13 years old.

The days were full and the kids had a blast, needless to say. The adults also enjoyed themselves, but of course they needed to keep the days, and most importantly the meals, well organized.

I suspect your family is not much different than mine. We like to eat and we like good food.

As mentioned in my previous post, we shared cooking duties. This responsibility also included setting the location and time of the dinner meal.

We had delicious meals.

Coaxing the children to come sit and eat, well, that was another story. Every night, the parents cajoled, coaxed, sang and danced, and rang many a time “the dinner bell”.

The kids were having too much fun to eat! Really. Dining was very low on their list.

Was it low on my list? Nope.

When they finally did stop to eat, it was only because they had to. It was only to get nutrition. There was no savoring.

I reflected on this striking contrast; children having too much fun to eat, and adults thinking about the dinner meal upon waking that morning….the planning, the shopping, the cooking, the serving, and most critically, the enjoyment of.

Then there are the dishes to wash.

At what point in our lives do we transition, and why?

I don’t pretend to know the answer. But I did note a slight bit of envy. That is, envious of having too much fun and forgetting to eat.

I remember as a child playing outside until dinner time and being so sad that my playtime with friends and neighbors was over for the day.

Sadly, family mealtime is becoming lost in our culture. But maybe not because we are having too much fun.

 

My takeaway is that balance, again, is key. Family dinners are a way to slow down, reconnect, and nourish the body, mind and soul. This is even more important now in our fast paced world.

Finding activities that are so much fun….that is something to strive for as well!

Throughout the week, watching the children have too much fun to eat, filled my heart, however.

(Finally, the kids sitting down to eat!)