Whether my day is crazy or calm, busy or boring there is one thing I always look forward to, sitting down for an evening meal with the kiddies (and my sister, while she’s living with us ). At dinner, we all share the happenings of our days and it usually ends up with a story that leads to a laughing fest. I realize my children are only 10 and 6, but sometimes they are downright hilarious. There have been a couple of times I was laughing so hard I had to run to the bathroom to avoid an accident.

Of course all this family camaraderie only happens if the TV is off, and some nights, I admit, we do just sit and watch and eat and barely talk. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I mean, I know that in the ideal world I’d have enough energy after commuting, working, cooking, etc…but the fact is, sometimes I don’t.

Family meals are supposed to be about more than just the food and eating. They’re supposed to be about sharing and fun too. I guess since I am far from perfect, I’ll trust that those meals we have together when the TV is off build bonds; and I’ll hope that family ties are strengthened even when dinner includes watching Phineas and Ferb from the dining room table while eating spaghetti.