Why eat at home?

We are in a fast food era and everything must be done quickly so we can move to the next agenda. How many families actually sit down together at home and eat? When you are on a tight budget like I am there is no choice. A family of five on a teacher's salary will find the time to eat together at home.

Of course I like to go out and eat a good meal now and then. It's great to have someone else cook and clean up at the end, especially the clean up part. Also as kids get older they get busy into activities and eating together may not always be feasible. We can try to work around this as much as possible and make eating at home a target goal.  After all eating home is the better choice in my opinion.

The good thing is it's not just about saving money, which we do. Cooking and eating at home costs less than eating out. It's about the time we invest into each other. Taking the time out to sit together and eat brings unity and love into our home.

Why should we eat at home? Here are a few reasons.

First of all, when you eat at home you know how it's prepared and who has prepared it.

Preparing to eat together is a time to involve children if you have them. They can learn how to set a table and clear a table. Children love to be involved and feel important. When children help with setting the table they feel like part of a family unit. They learn how to work together to decide who passes out what, they feel a sense of accomplishment.

Eating at home is a time to connect with each other. A time to sit face to face without distractions. Communicating over a meal brings cohesiveness to a family and as we listen we can hear the hearts of each other and learn more about those in our family.

Eating at home is investing into any children we may have. If we eat together now while they are young it will be a habit when they become teens and the lines of communication can stay open. They will value our famliy time and just maybe we can win their hearts.

Cooking for others shows how much you love and care for them. Eating together shows how much you love and care for each other. It's not just about the food and the eating, it's about the time and connection. It's about being together. 

The children set the table for dinner. A tablecloth was a little extra touch. They are still learning what goes where but for now it was a job well done.  ; )