Quality Not Quantity
I’m a single, working mum and my son, 3, is in day care five days a week, where he receives all his meals from breakfast through to tea. That only gives us two days a week to eat meals together. I always feel guilty when I see these stories saying that families should eat together more often. But sometimes it’s just not practical. What are working families supposed to do?
Dr Pat Spungin replies:
Don’t worry – getting Back To The Table isn’t a rigid, written-in-stone campaign. Instead of dwelling on the time you’re not together, plan for the time you do spend with your son.
You’re together every Saturday and Sunday, so on those days there’s every reason you should eat together. Get your son involved in preparing the food and setting the table. This is important quality time for the two of you – eating together and helping your child develop a healthy attitude towards food. Many children as well as their parents have hectic and busy lives. Weekends are your main one-on-one time, so take full advantage of this. You may be rushing around shopping and cleaning; maybe your son has activities too, so take eating together as a time to slow down and as an opportunity to talk and laugh together.
