My Favorite Part of the Day

Mealtime around our house can sometimes be rather hectic. We don't always get to eat all 3 meals together. Awhile ago I decided to emphasis dinner as the "family" meal where we would all sit down at the table and eat together. I heard somewhere that it really helps to foster communication with your children, and I was feeling tired of eating dinner in front of the t.v. (yes...I'm ashamed to admit it....Nate and I used to eat dinner in front of the t.v.) I try to make it a really nice event with calming music and dim lights and I begin the meal by asking, "What was the favorite part of your day?" We usually start with Benjamin and then go around the table. I didn't really feel it was making any sort of impact with him, although it was great for Nate and I to talk about our favorite parts of our day. But tonight we went to a restaurant for dinner with my mom and step-dad (who were in town for Benjamin's birthday party!) Obviously we didn't talk about our favorite part of the day at the restaurant. So while I'm sitting here surfing the internet I can hear Benjamin in the bathtub with Nate asking "What was the favorite part of my day Dad?" I guess something is sticking!? By the way....THAT was the favorite part of my day!