Dinner as a family, do you?

Dropping off some food at my kids school today and another Mother asked where I purchased the food. When I said I made it, she laughed and said she “never cooks” – the kids & her husband just fend for themselves. Often when kids are at our house and we all sit down to eat, they’ll comment that they never eat like that at home. At a recent cocktail party this topic came up and 6 of the 8 women talking said they never have sit down dinners, except on special occasions.

I grew up having family dinner every night, or as often as possible; we do the same now with our kids. Even if someone is late getting home, and the rest of us have eaten already, we sit down with them while they eat. This time together is invaluable for keeping a pulse on whats going on with everybody. I can only judge the importance of this by the effect it has on our family and our level of communication. With crazy schedules for sports, work, etc., this isn’t easy but we make it happen.

If you don’t have family dinners, may I ask why? Did you have family dinner growing up? Do you have them now?