Spending Time at the Dinner Table

Video Transcript

"Some of the most intimate times that we spend with our families are at a table enjoying a meal together and sharing a meal, and it really can be sometimes the only time that a family gets to spend, you know some time together. So from the very beginning you want to create an atmosphere at the table that is conducive to good communication and enjoyable relaxing time, and that obviously can be a challenge with kids, especially if you have more than one. So you have to from the beginning teach them the rules about communicating, about interrupting, remind them that they need to be polite, and if someone else is talking that they need to wait their turn, and this is especially true if you are at a more formal setting or if you're at a restaurant. You obviously don't want to disturb other patrons at a restaurant if your children are being really loud. It's obviously a little different at home. There's a little more leeway and, you know, we actually, you know, we love to sing at the table. That's something that our family does, but, you know I don't recommend teaching your children that that's ok to do at a restaurant or at someone else's house. You can obviously have your own set of rules in your own home if they're more relaxed, but make sure that you let your children know the difference between things that you sort of tailor to your own family versus what is seen as acceptable and polite out in public, and to make sure that they know the difference and, you know, when it is ok to sing at the table, when it is ok to read at the table, and when it's not, and you really can create a very great environment and a habit that will follow your children for life. Sitting down and enjoying family time, or time with friends, over a nice, peaceful and enjoyable meal."