Expectations...changed

I recently purchased a Life is Good shirt that has a little house, window and family sitting at their dinner table. It says underneath the graphic “Value Meal.” As soon as I saw this shirt, I had to have it!

As our family has grown, job changes that do not always reflect 9-5 hours and the demands of being an adult I have started to understand how easy it would be to scrap family dinner time. I have often wondered previous to this season how parents can let this happen and vowed that I would never let this happen to my family.

There are many statistics that support all the reasons of why eating together as a family is beneficial. Knowing this, we made sure to make a spot for Brevin right when he was a newborn. He has sat with us in the same spot at dinner for 3 ½ years. We have continued this with Rowan to get him used to sitting for that time while we eat and share the details of our days.
Milk gets spilled, there are negotitations about taking bites and it is not always peaceful as Rowan cries out wanting his bottle.right.now. It isn’t always easy.

I have let much of my judging thoughts go by the wayside for others regarding this topic and while I am finding it difficult to maintain this time in our family during this season of life, I am not going to give it up without a fight. Just like many things in life, but especially in parenthood, it is all about changing your expectations.
Some of my changed expectations are as such:
-15 minutes of quality sit down family time instead of 30 minutes
-It is important that every main dish includes a fruit and vegetable even if the main dish consists of boxed Mac and Cheese, frozen pizza or grilled cheese
-Praying doesn't have to happen at the beginning as long as it happens at some point before the last bite is taken
-No limit on laughter (which is usually in result of a bodily noise)

I am a strong believer in starting our boys young: Camping. Sledding. Manners. Discipline. Dinner Time. As I analyze the workings of our family to make sure we are on course for us, I have to remind myself that these changed expectations are for this season. I need to remind myself that we are setting the foundation for our boys. While the food might not always reflect what adults regularly eat, the time sitting might be brief we are still sending a message to our boys that we value time spent together in our family. As long as this value is being established, expectations changed and all, we are on track for what is best for our family.