Making dinner TIME.

It can be hard to get us all at the table at the same time to eat dinner. I don't know if it is just a guy thing or something but, it seems, men tend to wander to where their hobby is sitting. I have this grand desire and idea of perfect family meals all of us seated joyfully together around a feast every night...Ok, maybe not a feast but some type of life sustaining substance......

I believe wholeheartedly it is best for any family to always eat together and pray together before and even after a meal. But, that of course doesn't always happen when you are raising two toddlers. I seem to remember meal time being much simpler pre baby....yes, it is coming back to me...then, the first time I had to nurse at the dinner table...

I would sometimes wonder why my husband felt the need to eat at the desk or why I would even feel the need to eat somewhere other that the kitchen table. But, as with all things I figure practice makes perfect and there must be something I am doing or not doing that could make this idea of mine, family dinners every night, possible. I'm still practicing myself so bear with me.

First: I must have a willingness. If I don't realize and accept the importance of us all eating together at the table, even if a lot of the meal is spent convincing the toddlers to eat, it won't happen! I have to put this as a priority, I after all....am the one who cooks the food!

Second: giving up some freedom to prepare and plan. As a mother it can sometimes be hard to give up even more so called freedoms but, putting my husband and children first is always something that will need even more improvement in my heart, I am sure. I have to plan plan plan to make sure that mealtime is family time. That planning is up to me.

Third: If I make it they will come! I have noticed a trend in my house. If I serve "buffet style" dinners where I make the kids plates and DH his and me mine we may all end up eating in different areas. Meals served from the stove end up being eaten in separate rooms.

Maybe the 3 year old wants the floor, the younger usually the table...he pretty much goes where the food is....ah. The man ends up at the desk. I just eat whenever where ever, feed kids first, I eat when they are done.

I am remembering something "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach"...ah yes...Ok, so I am teasing a little but seriously though. I love my husband and I love to be with him especially at dinner time, I HATE eating alone even though I have two toddler mouths to feed I want him there feeding our offspring of love with me. So, I have noted that if I serve at the table; if I lay all of dinner out with place settings (fancy words meaning plates with forks....whoops I forgot the knives!)  we tend to all end up sitting there together! EUREKA! Walla! Family meal time. Seems easy enough.

Make it in your mind, cook it on the stove, place it all at the table and ring the dinner bell. Everyone to the TABLE for mealtime! No kids, sorry, no snacking beforehand, dinner is ready when it is ready. We eat TOGETHER! Let us pray and give thanks. Success. A happy family meal. (note to self, be sure to let DH know what time supper is....yes, that is key)

It is up to me. I keep my home, I make the meals, I make the family meal time happen. Praise the Lord for opening my eyes to what makes it happen for us in our own little situation. :)

So I am making a new habit, I am helping my whole family make a new every day habit. I am making it easy for them to always end up eating together, easier on me too (yes it is still hard sometimes). I am making sure that the food is there for everyone at the same time every night, kids plates filled before we sit down, daddy called in several minutes before it is actually time for him to sit (this way he can't be late and I can't get mad about it, he can be early even and I will then be thrilled). Kids have something to do to keep them busy while they wait for the food. It is good for them, they love it, I love it, it is one of the ways I keep my home.

I just have to plan it, fix it, cook it, lay it out.....I made it and they came. We ate together and that makes me a happy home maker. :)

Hint for the guys out there: if you want to please your wife, never be late to the table, better yet be early. ;)