Lessons around the "family style" meal

Have you ever thought about the style of your family meals? Are they smorgasbord buffets where each individual picks their choice of foods from a variety of left overs or whatever is currently on the stove?
How about the "on the run" meals where everyone grabs something on the way out the door to their various commitments. Is that you?
Are they "up and down" affairs where there is a constant path back and forth from the table for each individual to satisfy their own desires for seconds and thirds?
Maybe you do not even have a "together" time for a meal but rather an "everyman for himself" type of meal service. Open the cupboard, open the box, open the microwave, heat and eat!
While "babysitting" three of our grandsons recently we discovered there were many lessons to be learned around the old fashioned "family style" meal. Remember the big bowls of food circulated around the farm table? My husband and I decided to resurrect that eating methodology for a short trial and have been pleased with the results for three grandsons.

Lessons to learn:

1. self-control-kids come to their place at the table facing an empty plate and quietly and patiently wait until everyone is seated, the prayer is said, and the food is passed to satisfy their hunger pangs

2. cooperation-kids learn to pass each bowl to their neighbor on their right ("littles" quickly learn the difference between right and left) after they dish up their portion as well as passing bowls during the meal at someone's request

3. conservation of food-kids learn to take ONLY what they can eat so as not to waste food and to allow everyone to enjoy each yummy dish

4. manners and healthy conversations-because everyone is seated around the table, not jumping up for various reasons, manners can be taught and conversations can be had that teach such concepts as waiting your turn to talk, listening and asking appropriate questions, being considerate of others

There is order at the table and a platform for fun conversation that has the ability to knit the family close together.
If you have not adopted this "eating pattern", especially with children in the house, try it. I think you will begin to reap the benefits.