Dinner Table Attitude

Let’s take a look at the dinner table.

So, in all bared honesty, the dinner table isn’t necessarily my favourite place considering my auditory aversions to loud noises and tangled priorities that increases as the day goes by (my to do list that doesn’t shift as fast as I think it should). Usually I am focused on downing my food, doing my best to get most of the meal of the smaller two into their gullets, and frowning at the older two if they are frowning at what is on their plate.

We do have conversations but I find myself not fully present to them (the conversations and in turn the people I am conversing with – my own kidlets!!). Just want to get it done so we can move on to the next thing. I do want to make it a nice bonding experience though. I’m sure you can see how well that has worked for me so far – geez so obvious again when I write it all down.  Well on the bright side it’s much cheaper than therapy!

So the focus of the attitude project this week is finding that bliss point at the table every day.

We have said our meal blessings in the past, but it has been on and off and the older ones have started making up cheeku versions of the verses and yelling them at the top of their lungs – a great way to show a mama that you know she is going through the motions and not entirely in it.

Day 1 – Well this was a day to forget as everything was forgotten! Firstly, we had no delicious homemade broth to have, as I had turned on the wrong hob. Mum came over and shouted us takeaway (love you mama), but being premenstrual I couldn’t make a decision, then left without turning down the hob to get the broth to boiling quickly, so had to turn around and go back. Finally, we got to the fish taco place where we totally smashed the food in the cold wind in the dark, whilst my eyes were darting nervously to make sure my little ones weren’t running out on to the main road we sat beside. I also managed to refuse a cuddle from one of my older ones, as my hands were greasy and just felt, well premenstrual and shitty in general. And yes, I had forgotten to set my intention for gratitude at the dinner table – whoops!

Day 2 – Take two – well this one was better. Managed to kindly ask my eldest, as usual, to wait for everyone else to sit at the table before she started eating. My son wanted to sit far away from everyone and my youngest daughter on my lap, but we had a god chin wag, even if there was some potato thrown around and silly stealing of sugar snap peas, that were given back all slobbery…. Ahhh, what a lovely relaxing meal. No. Wasn’t meant to be relaxing but connected and be grateful. So, what is there to be grateful for - the big girls are getting along enough to joke around and it’s nice to see their relationship blossom (even if they are annoying jokes and tricks at the table).

They all enjoyed at least part of the soup and the smallest decided she wanted to eat the leftovers she liked, just in her bowl which resulted in a pioneering way of getting it to  her bowl – chucking it over my way… she is quite the clever and innovative cookie there. My son is starting to clear up what he wants and is satisfied with what he wants. But most of all, we are a family that gets to sit down to a nourishing meal every day together. That is pretty awesome in itself.

Day 3 – we do early dinners- usually around 5pm and these are hungry bumpkins! From my family passed on to my own, I have ended up rationing the kids to make sure there is enough for everyone. But we are having a good time and we are letting them flow. So nice seeing the girls embrace their little brother and help the little ones out at the table!

Day 4 – Well wasn’t today a nice surprise! No planning no pressure and everyone loved the food. But most importantly we had a great time at the table. A little heart to heart, some requests for changes to meal plans. Just general, lip-smacking joy! What did I do differently? Don’t know, must have been in the flow!

Day 5 – Fish Friday everyone! Gotta love our fish! I forgot to set an intention… Again! So note to self I need to set a reminder to set everything down to set an intention for the moment… and sticky tape it to the table (because  I won’t see it in time on my forehead – though I’m sure the older girls will be happy to point it out…. Ahhh, what fun we have - love you girls!). But we got to enjoy our dinner with our papa bear.

So how did it go… well downed my food still, but my eldest (bless her heart) is starting to tentatively share some things close to her heart… thank you my girl for letting me in on what is going on in your life.

They obviously enjoyed it as there was little mess – hmmmm - feedback on the things they don’t enjoy as much right now… thank you for that as well. Will take note and do my best to make healing meals that are infused with the love of enjoying them as well my beloveds.

Mama MT