Do you remember in the good old days when the family would sit around the table after meals and discuss issues and plans?

With today's family members on diverse schedules, how often do we all sit around the table together? And by not being all together this way we miss out on natural opportunities families of yore had for discussing and resolving issues.

This past winter holiday my family had an opportunity to be all together for several meals, and as we all sat around the table we took the time to listen to each other. We listened as a caring family. This was so helpful to those members of our large family who struggle at times with learning disabilities, including my own partial hearing disability.

The family formed a unit, a caring team, and together we centered on the concerns of our most vulnerable members. I was really impressed by the useful ideas put forth for resolving issues. I know that left to my own resources I would not have thought of all the ideas presented.

The benefit of the family, or family and friends in roundtable discussion, is that the members know each other and being close over a period of time have the desire to really help out where needed. And those being cared about get a boost in self esteem by being the center of the loving attention surrounding them.

If your family is scattered at dinnertime, one idea is to make a habit of having a family lunch or dinner together on the weekend. My family likes to eat pizza together, and at times we have gathered together in the backyard or an informal pizzeria to eat and when satiated we have turned our attention to issues of our family members who need attention.

Another occasion to make an excuse for all being together for eating and discussing is celebrating birthdays. This insures several times a year meeting as a group and listening to and nurturing each other.

In summary, making time to gather as a family or with family and close friends in roundtable discussion, is an opportunity to listen to each other and give insight from all present. It is a time when the weakest members of the clan can get support from those who care about them and want what is best for each other. If the family is rarely all together for meals, make use of special occasions such as holidays and birthdays to sit around as a group and listen to each other; nurturing with positive attitudes and creative ideas as needed.

Article by Susan Kramer

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