How often do you use your dining table?
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| Our current dining space |
I must confess, we've gotten out of the habit of eating our family meals at the dining table. Despite the fact this gorgeous setting is constantly at the ready in our new home.
When I grew up every single evening meal was had at the dining table. My parents and I would sit at the table, in our same spots, night after night.
I replicated that for many years when the children were young, however it wasn't the dining table we used, but the kitchen bench.
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| The kitchen bench at our previous home |
The TV would be turned off and we'd gather together at the epicentre of the home to shoot the breeze about our day. Even as the kids grew and routines started to change, somehow we managed to meet right here for our evening meal.
The majestic oak dining suite purpose built for the this space was reserved for special occasions and dinner parties.
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| The dining room at our previous home |
Yet here we are in our stunning new house and our dining table gets used so infrequently. TV dinners have become the norm for my grown up children and the tired parents who have raised them.
Good question! Our dining room table gets used only when we have visitors! However my husband uses it every day for all his meals and he keeps his jigsaw board and latest jigsaw there. I occasionally sit there for a meal but more likely to sit in my recliner chair (with feet up) for all my meals now. Since my mouth reconstruction eating takes me a lot longer to eat much less! I also need a couple of paper towels to mop up any spills from my mouth and according to my husband, when I talk, I expose what is in my mouth because of the nature of how I have to eat. But, as a family way back, we did eat at the table when the kids were still at school. Once their work and study habits changed this, we went for Sunday night dinners as a tradition & I am pretty sure my daughter does this now with her crew of different ages!
ReplyDeleteWe eat at the dining table every night. TV off, music on, no phones. It's harder now there are just the 2 of us but it's a habit I'm loathe to stop.
ReplyDeleteGood question! Our dining room table gets used only when we have visitors! However my husband uses it every day for all his meals and he keeps his jigsaw board and latest jigsaw there. I occasionally sit there for a meal but more likely to sit in my recliner chair (with feet up) for all my meals now. Since my mouth reconstruction eating takes me a lot longer to eat much less! I also need a couple of paper towels to mop up any spills from my mouth and according to my husband, when I talk, I expose what is in my mouth because of the nature of how I have to eat. But, as a family way back, we did eat at the table when the kids were still at school. Once their work and study habits changed this, we went for Sunday night dinners as a tradition & I am pretty sure my daughter does this now with her crew of different ages!
ReplyDeleteOccasionally we’ll sit at the table to eat but mostly the dining table is only used for ‘occasions’ these days and I feel awful about it. I know that we should all sit at it every night with TV off and phones away and eat and talk about our days but the reality is that I call out ‘dinner’s ready’ and everyone comes and gets their plates and then scatters to either in front of the TV or their bedrooms. We used to always sit at the table for dinner when they were kids but it’s harder now that the boys are adults and have a need to unwind etc after a day at work.
ReplyDeleteWe have always eaten at our dining room table - from our early married days, through kids, teenagers, empty nest, and now when family comes to stay. It's a time to connect and appreciate the food that's been prepared, and to chat without distractions. We don't watch much TV these days so we save that for the evening (catch up TV or Netflix).
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a family that sat at the table facing the TV and we had to be quiet while Dad watched the news - it was something I didn't want to replicate in my own family and I love that my own kids sit with their families at their own tables and create a new set of family memories and dynamics. It's a short period of time but absolutely invaluable for maintaining connection and communication (IMHO).
Good luck with re-starting it in your home - the table looks lovely.
Even though our 3 sons have grown up and left home, my husband and I still eat every meal at our dining room table. The only other option is at our counter, sitting on bar stools. The table is more comfortable and we can sit facing each other.
ReplyDeleteWe eat at our kitchen table most nights but our dining room table is only used for holidays or large family gatherings.
ReplyDeleteI use my dining room table to eat only. That is all. I have a big table. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteHow are you lovely?! It's been ages! I love the new look of the blog. Apologies, I forgot that you had a link-up and I will aim to visit more frequently.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks amazing. I love those brilliant white walls. We have a green colour and we intend to paint the walls white soon. It's just too dark inside.
We use our dining table almost all day, every day. We've both got our laptops on it and spend our inside time there. We do spend a lot of time outside as well. We clear off the laptops when we eat, be it lunch or dinner. We always eat dinner at the dining table, I can't remember a time ever that we've eaten our dinner in front of the TV or on the couch.
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