When the Little Lady first started eating solids, the Husband and I made two simple decisions: (1) dinner-time would always be around the table and (2) we would always make sure we looked at every family member during that meal. No TV distractions. No meals on the couch in the living room. Each family member would sit next to the other around the table, laughing, talking, and breaking bread together.
Then came smart phones and Candy Crush, little boys who find it impossible to sit in a chair for more than 2 seconds (they’d much rather be chasing each other than stop to eat), and activities that sometimes cut into the evening meal.
We can’t deny that it has gotten much harder as our family has grown to have dedicated time together for meals. From the moment we wake and stumble out of our beds, every single person in the house is headed a different direction with a different agenda.
But still we fight for our evening meals. We put down our phones and turn off the TV. We remind the boys to sit in their chairs and we listen to the Little Lady as she tells us about her day. We ask questions. We laugh. We list our reasons to be thankful.
This is what is important — these moments when we are all paused together. No running here and there. No distractions. No work. Just family. A family looking each other in the eyes and truly listening to the words being said. At the end of a long, hectic day, it’s our one chance to connect instead of just being busy room-mates.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragú® Official New Tra-Dish. The opinions and text are all mine.
