My Life: Ugh, life can sure get busy in this culture. It seems that there is ALWAYS too much to do, too much to be and too many places to go. I cannot remember the last time I felt like I was “done” with everything I am supposed to do. Do you EVER get done? Our crazy-paced lives can really take a toll on family life. There is one solution I’ve found to fight back and to give our family a sense of belonging and identity that we all crave. It was a subtle change that had an enormous impact on our family and it is VERY simple; sit around the dinner table, as a family, for at least 45 minutes (our typical is an hour to hour and 15 minutes). If this sounds daunting, start small. If you normally only sit down for 15 minutes, stretch it to 25. If you spend 30 minutes, try 40. When we first started this ritual our children were naturally uncomfortable. They squirmed, they wiggled, they whined a little. I was shocked to discover how fast we had been eating and running off to our various activities. Over time, it became a habit, and one I will always cherish. Someday, maybe my kids will remember, and cherish it too. (If you ask them now, they may not agree!)
What can you do to fill this time? Well, I can tell you how we do it. First, everyone has a turn sharing their high and low for the day. Even though the kids all struggle now and then to listen and respect their siblings when its their turn, they are learning. And you can just see how good it makes them feel to have their turn to be in the spotlight. Who doesn’t like to be heard? This can take us as much as 30 minutes, depending on how many stories get thrown into it. Then, we all just sort of lean back in our chairs and visit. Its fantastic.
Kids visiting our home for the first time remind me how unusual this ritual is. They will often jump up, after just a few minutes, ready to run off to the next activity. But over time kids who know our family and who eat with us regularly come to love this ritual and wait with anticipation to share their “highs and lows” for the day. How cool is that?
Here is a video of Isaiah’s friends in California, at our dinner table one night. This was a reenactment, as you can tell by the over zealous acting, LOL, but it had just unfolded in pretty much the same way. It warmed my heart.
Photo Goodness: I had the privilege of photographing my sister and her beautiful family in September at the lake. If you’d have been there, you would not believe how great these turned out. Mr. Noah did everything he could be put an end to this photos stuff. Somehow, though, we pulled it off. Aren’t they a beautiful family?
You can see them all here: The Tonnesons
We do the same (high and low)!! But we just word it differently: “What was your favorite part of your day? and least favorite part of your day?” It fun to hear what was fun for them at school and the kids hear what was fun for us adults. Good family times!
And very sweet family images. Your sister is lucky to have these wonderful images of the family.