Monday, February 15, 2010

Topics!

This is a common word that is blurted out every night at the
dinner table after we have completed our prayer.

Gracie, who is now 20 months old, has been yelling this
loudly each night for, at least, the past six months.


After our dinner prayer concluding with AMEN (which she also screeches)
she smiles, looks all around at us and proudly says "TOPICS!"
I just love it.

Several people have asked me about my Family Rule
"Bring a Topic to Dinner Every Night,"
so I wanted to share where this idea came from.

After reading some staggering statistics about eating
dinner as a family, I really wanted to make it a point
to eat together every single night.

(Another one of my Family Rules)

Statistics show that kids who dine with their family are
healthier, happier and better students.

A few years ago I remember talking to my sister Adie about the Oprah Show
in which she interviewed Maria Shriver.
Maria had talked about the idea of having her children bring a "topic"
to the dinner table every night.
Instead of everyone just sitting around eating and randomly
mumbling about their day, they were to bring something they
wanted to discuss with everyone.

I LOVED this idea!
Even though my girls were very little, the loved it as well
and looked forward the their own special TOPIC they got to
talk about with everyone at dinner.

Some of the things my girls come up with are priceless.
For example, "My topic is I don't have school tomorrow...."
Interesting.

And another, "My topic is that today at school, "Tommy" was really bad
and got in trouble."
Amazing.

But there have been so many times that my girls have really
shocked me and shown me how in tune they are with what's going on.

Sophie's topics was Barack Obama every night for
practically two months as the election was nearing.
She just couldn't get enough of him
And they way she said his name?

Barlack Omama.
So cute!

I remember talking about who they were voting for that year.
Sophie, of course Barlack Omama.
Mia, John McCain one day. Barack the next.


I have come to love this "Family Rule" so much.
I feel it gives my girls an open invitation to
bring up anything that may be on their mind and it gives them
the opportunity to let us know if something is bothering them at school,
or just to fill us in on whatever silly things they are thinking about!

8 comments:

mel @ the larson lingo said...

Love the idea of family topics! I am going to start doing this! Kate just turned 3, so I am not sure if she will "get it". (We usually just ask her what the favorite part of her day was)

Hissyfits & Halos said...

That sounds like a great idea! We're going to have to give it a try. We eat as a family almost every night. This would be a perfect addition to our family time.

That little Gracie is adorable. (all three of your girls are) But, I would probably just die laughing every time she would say that! So random! ;) Cutie pie!

Erin Civey said...

I love this idea!!! And the idea of sitting around the table each and every night we have the girls! TOPIC # 1 night tonight for sure!!!

Heather @ Glitter and Gloss said...

Love this idea, and love this post!! We'll have to try it out with Leila soon!

PS - that picture of Sophie and Mia?!?! Supermodels in the making!

TDM Wendy said...

Girls are fun. But I am afraid my son would some how bring farts to the table topic every night. I'll have to try it out and see...

steffany said...

Great idea, and BTW I love your playlist. I left it playing while I was on the computer today. The perfect music for my mood today, thanks for sharing.

Jaimie said...

That is a really good idea- difficult to implement when we don't have family meals daily or even semi-daily, but a good idea nonetheless! I'm glad it works so well for you!

rachael said...

Hey! I just found your blog through blog hopping and I was entranced. I love your style & fun family ideas! Thanks for blogging :)

 

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