merryb wrote:
> When I was a kid, we always had dinner as a family, and I still think
> it's important- my dad insisted on dinner at 6:30! I recently heard
> that most families do not eat dinner together, and I find that rather
> sad. I do understand that with conflicting schedules that is not an
> option, but if it's possible, it's a good time to catch up on the day.
> How about you- is it important to you to dine as a family?

Yes! But growing up, with 7 of us coming and going, the dinner hour was
never set in stone. We often ate at 7 or later even, but always
together. If dinner was going to be later, my folks always had cocktails
beforehand. I don't recall what we kids got to have but we were always
starving when called to the table and ate well. Dinner often lasted an
hour or so.
Eating early like 5 or 6 pm was never considered desirable in my family.
My husband on the other hand had to adapt to a later dinner hour once we
married. His mother worked in a factory and they ate early.