This is the face of a Mom. A Mom who was excited to sit down for a family dinner.
A Mom who cooked the food her family loves because she had the time to that day. A Mom who was looking forward to a family dinner together because her husband was home in time that night.
A Mom who said “Okay, time for family dinner!” only to be inundated with complaints of “No I don’t want family dinner! Not family dinner! We want to watch something!” from both her kids.
A Mom who decided she didn’t feel like forcing her kids to sit at the table & have a nice dinner together. A Mom who took their plates straight to the TV & turned on a show in silence. A Mom who took her husband’s plate to the computer where he was finishing dictations from the day. A Mom who never said a word & sat down at the table by herself. A Mom who got up to get something to drink & turned back around only to find her 5 year old son sitting across from her spot.
At the table.
With the TV show still on in the den, he’d come over without her saying a word about it. And they started a family dinner.
Then little sister came over. And then Dad said “If we’re doing a family dinner, wait for me” and paused all his work & came over, too.
This is the face of a Mom who excused herself and went to her bathroom & bawled her eyes out. The face of a Mom who had been on the verge of crying because she felt so unappreciated but who ended up crying because she felt so loved.
The face of a Mom who got that family dinner.
Mamas, when you feel like you’re failing & under appreciated (which you are), or like your kids don’t listen or respect you, or like you give everything to everyone (which you do)…
Know this: Your Momming is enough. And it’s sticking with them even when you think it’s not. And you are enough. More than enough actually. They’re lucky to have you.
And they know it. Even if they don’t always show it. ♥️
(which they should, but they’re only human)
By the way, family dinner has always been one of my favorite things. Ever. It was when I was growing up and it still is now that I’m a grown up. And, family dinner is important.
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13 comments
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We always try to have family dinners. With a almost 13 year old and almost one year old and my husband being put on night shift, it’s gotten extremely hard to do. I still try, some dinners go smoothly than others but I still try. I want this time to be special with then and something they remember when they are older as I remember doing them with my family. Love, LOVE this article! Thank you!
Shannon, I am somehow just seeing this comment but I want you to know that it made my day! Thank you so, so much. I’m sure making time/space for family dinners gets harder & harder the older your kids get. Bravo to you for still trying, Mama. ♥️♥️ I want mine to remember it, too — just like I do from growing up.
Loved reading this article! I really enjoyed hearing your perspective. Family dinner was always my favorite growing up. It was a time where everyone got to share a bit about their day. I’m glad your dinner turned out and your family came together 💕😊
Family dinner was always one of my favorite things growing up, too! And I’m going to do everything I can to make sure my kids feel the same way. We always do a “best and worst” part of the day talk, I want to write about that next! A sweet little tradition.
I posted this recently. Basically a VERY similar situation. And you know us…Sushi at home, taco night, healthy meals, etc are the norm. Your post and pic are perfectly described. Luckily we have kids that eventually get it and are surprisingly empathetic…stay strong Mama.
Michelle O’Donnell Harris and I worked in the F&B/Restaurant industry for a combined 40 years.
We had to deal with every type of customer and even the over the top demanding ones became favorites of ours. We truly did love the life and even the crappy tippers and plain ole nasty people were always treated the same as the regulars and faves.
But these three demanding little monkeys who’ve been regulars for the past 5-6.5 years? Man. I mean…it’s tough sometimes and unfortunately we can’t fire ourselves when we own the joint, cook the food, wait the tables, wash the dishes, make all the orders, pay all the bills, and work 24/7.
Chez Harris may have to go back to Mac & Cheese and Chicken Nuggets on nightly special and breakfast included means cereal.
Obviously I’m not really upset… But someone needs to teach these kids how to treat their restaurant employees!
Drew, your comment MADE MY NIGHT. Seriously. Yes yes yes yes yes! You said it brilliantly. Your words resonate hard with me & I’m sure with every single other parent out there! So much truth. Kids bring the most love in the world…and quite possibly the most complaints, too. ♥️😭😂 pS – Yall are wonderful parents.
When I was a kid, my best friend loved dinner at my house because we sat at the table. No tv. My mom told my dad he needed to have dinner with us and talk to his children. I didn’t understand as a child how much i would appreciate that time with family. Thank you for trying to instill daytime with your family.
I looooove that your best friend used to love to eat dinner with yall because you had true family dinners. Love that. We always had them, too. And growing up I loved them. And I still do. Like you, I didn’t really understand how important that time together really was, but I see it so clearly now. Thank you for the sweet comment ❤️❤️