Published on December 4, 2018 and Last Updated on June 19, 2021
A tradition in many families that unfortunately seems to be on the decline, is eating together. Today, it seems that it’s getting harder to get everyone in the same room at the same time to even have a chance to eat together.
Many of us eat in our car, eat at school, eat with colleagues, and who knows where else. One thing is for sure, though, if we aren’t spending time together then we aren’t building or improving our relationship.
When you were dating, you probably spent a lot of time together and had a lot of or most meals together. This helped you to get to know your partner, become better friends, and to eventually fall in love.
With today’s frantic life taking control over these types of love building activities, no wonder marital unhappiness and divorce are so prevalent.
Of course, if you have children you’ll all want to eat together. But if you do, it’s important that you and your spouse eat alone sometimes as well.
Following are a few tips that can help you start to reap the rewards of eating together and to help you to rebuild or improve the love in your marriage. Most of these tips are directed at couples but can also help if eating together as a family.
If you are not eating together now, look into how you can adjust your schedule so that you can. Even if you can’t do it every day, doing it sometimes is better than never doing it. Weekends may have more schedule flexibility if weekday time together is too difficult.
If you normally eat with your children, a weekly date night that includes dinner with only the two of you is something you may want to try.
Make sure that the conversation is pleasant and meaningful. This isn’t a time to discuss things that could result in an argument. But at the same time, your conversation should be more than “how was your day” type talk too.
Try to discover new things about your spouse that you didn’t know before.
Don’t say you are eating together if you are also watching TV or reading the newspaper. Focus on each other.
Practice really listening and improving your other communication skills. For example, when you listen don’t be thinking about what you are going to say next. Really listen.
Try to eat together at the same table instead of being across the room from each other.
Do your best to turn dinner together into a happiness and love building activity.
And, if you commit to start eating dinner together, don’t forget there is always breakfast and lunch that you could spend some quality time together as well.
Building a great marriage doesn’t have to be complex. You can do it a day at a time, a step at a time, or even a dinner at a time. Give it a shot. You may be surprised what some consistent time spent together can do for your relationship.