Talking Togetherness
August 4, 2008
Okay, so now you're all sitting down together. What do you say, and how does that help define the meal?
Many families start with some sort of welcome, which sets the tone. For religious and not-so-religious families, saying grace provides context and grounding. Other families go around the table and ask each person to say one good thing that happened that day, or one thing they are thankful for. During the meal itself, conversation can be structured or not, depending on the personalities at the table.
It's also helpful to acknowledge the end of the meal. Many families that are otherwise informal, have kids ask permission to leave.
I know that that these efforts can feel artificial, and that our level of involvement can change from day to day. But having the forms in place makes it more likely that you will do what you have come to the table to do -- connect in a positive way around a tasty meal.
Mealtimes Matter Video
from Miriam Weinstein
About Miriam
Miriam Weinstein is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. As a journalist, she has won several awards from the New England Press Association. Her work has appeared in Boston Magazine, the Boston Globe magazine, Hope, and ParentSource. A former staff member for North Shore Weeklies and freelancer for Essex County Newspapers, she writes restaurant reviews and food columns as well as features on a wide variety of subjects. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts, with her husband and has two grown children.
The Surprising Power of Family Meals
In her book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals, Miriam Weinstein shows how this basic human institution helps nourish and strengthen our families today. You can buy this book from our friends at Smucker's® Online Store.
