according to an expert on Martha Stewart radio. I can't remember exactly how it was worded, but that was the take-away for me. The statistic was that the kids that sat down with the family on multiple nights for their main meal, tend to do better academically. If that's the case, than my kids are in BIG TROUBLE. I don't know about the rest of you, but we rarely get to sit down together and eat a meal. These days we are usually dividing and conquering (and I use the 'conquering' word loosely- I usually end up feeling conquered by the end of the day).
With four children, three of whom are old enough to be in activities, we have *something* almost every evening. Tonight, for example, Rob is heading to soccer with Emily (and he happens to be the coach, which means he gets to travel light), whereas I am traveling with the other three, heading to Jake's t-ball practice. And, tonight is actually a light night. With both practices going on, if we waited to have dinner together we wouldn't be eating until 7:15-7:30ish. That is just too late to get the littlest ones fed. Eating before the 5:00 practice just doesn't work either (way too early). So, it means that we kind of eat in stages.
The weekends are our only chance, so I think we're really going to make an effort to have a family meal or two, every weekend. I'm sure the kids won't mind giving up sleepovers for the sake of their academic success ;) No, but in all seriousness, both Rob and myself came from households where family meals were the norm. I think we have to find a happy medium. I'll let you know how this 'experiment' goes.
1 comment:
It does seem pretty daunting with a large and busy family. But I applaud you for making the effort!
I just discovered that station on Sirius and I was stunned at Martha's daughter's show...she looks so professional and proper on tv, but she can sling some major insults and rudeness on that show!
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