Does your family sit down for dinner together most nights? Mine does, and despite the challenges over the years, it’s finally starting to pay off.
Now that my kids are 8 and 10, we actually have conversations at the dinner table. I find myself lingering over the meal, reluctant to get up because I’m having so much fun.
But like I say, this meal-time harmony didn’t come easy. It’s taken years of practice and fierce determination, on my part and my husband’s. I remember vividly the night my son threw his corn cob at me because I told him I wanted him to take swim lessons (he has some trouble taking direction from others). And the night my daughter sent a handful of rice flying at her brother, though the reason for her fury has escaped me.
And just a couple of weeks ago, when my mom and my in-laws were over, my son decided he had been well-behaved for long enough and had a full-blown, pull-his-sister’s-hair-tantrum just as I was about to serve dinner. The brisket didn’t taste so good after that.
More often than not, though, these days we enjoy each other’s company and chat about whatever topic comes up, serious or silly. Last night the focus was Twin Day at the kids’ school – who was going to dress up like who, what were they going to wear, and oh! We remembered that we had to call Zachery and tell him to wear a red shirt instead of a black one.
Okay, so we’re not exactly solving the world’s problems, but Sam and his friend sure did look cute in their matching outfits this morning, and I love knowing what’s going on in my kids’ lives.
Now if only I could get my kids to cook the dinner…
Posted by Anne

November 10th, 2008 | Category: Metro Parent