12 Reasons Why We Don’t Have Peace at our Table

A peaceful dinner table does not have to be a whimsical thought.

“How much longer?”

“Go ahead and eat. You don’t have to wait for me.”

“You don’t understand. I would rather starve than eat with the three boys without you here.”

(silent pause)

“I’ll be right home.”

That was me and that was my husband working a very long day.

I understand mealtime dread.

For so many reasons, we silently beat ourselves up that we don’t look forward to our family dinner. We have the ‘Gather‘ wall art but more often than not, it mocks at us.

And we think we are the only ones that do not have the pretty place settings with fresh wildflowers in an antique bottle (that we just happened to find at the local flea market) at the center of our joyful family conversation, eating a meal that everyone loves.

This is Pinterest reality but not the reality we talk about here.

In the very moment of mealtime chaos, we have no idea how to turn it around to a time of rest and peace. There are meals the thought is laughable to even think we will ever get there.

But we can. One meal at a time. It starts with knowing why we have the turmoil in the first place. And it continues with not seeking perfection but seeking connection.

This isn’t a shaming post. We do that to ourselves too much already. This is a look at the reasons why there isn’t the peace we crave. Once we know what causes the dread, then we can take steps to get where we want to go. And I’m here, to help you get started.

In the post, Your Best Diet is Right Here, we talk about how awareness is the first step toward change. And we gathered information to know what our best first step is, to a healthier way of eating for our family, specifically. The same applies to gaining momentum in fostering peace at our table.

I’ve heard and experienced reasons why peace is not settling in with us around our meals. But I bet you can think of more. And something more specific for your family.

We are going to talk about which ones we can nod at in agreement.

Leave a quick (one word will do!) comment to vote on what we will explore further. Or reply with an email. I will read every one. Your input will add to the conversation in a future post.

12 Reasons Why We Don’t Have Peace at Our Table

Which one hits home? 

1. Rush. Time is non-existent at mealtimes. We barely sit in the first place. 

2. Table? What table?

3. Body Shame is given a seat and it affects my every bite.

4. Medical reasons – food restrictions or having to eat more than we want to, steals some of the rest when eating. 

5. Eating scars – bad food memories or messages are on replay when I face my plateful.

6. Cost – I feel pressure to eat well on a little budget. 

7. Food is wrapped up in emotions and is eaten to comfort or is the company that doesn’t disappoint. 

8. Dieting lens – I don’t see nourishment, I see calories/carbs/fat I need to limit. 

9. Picky eating – some that dine with me will not eat what I make, no matter how hard I try. 

10. Cravings take over and I feel out of control when I eat. 

11. Cooking skills – they are not there yet, or you simply have no interest.  

12. I’m not setting a place for Peace itself at my table yet. And if I am being honest, I don’t see how that will change anything. 

Or maybe it’s more than one reason:

I seriously dread dinner. My heart longs for the ideal family meal, but my reality has so many of the above reasons that if there was a way to avoid eating, I would.

Which one finds you leaning in a little closer?

I want to talk more!

What part of the family meal is overwhelming?

I want to help!

Comment below or let me know at jane@janecurryweber.com. It’s a safe place.

Looking to get started in the meantime? These 7 Tweaks to Have Peace at Your Table are the first steps to inviting Peace to pull up a chair. Choose the easiest tweak and work from there.

Why am I asking?

I’ve been working behind the scenes with a group of beautiful women to refine my writing topic so that I bring relevant content to you.

Sandy Cooper at the Balanced MomCast and Mary K. Tiller over at New Mercies for Moms led us in the Writing Off Social course, finishing it off with a plan for the next year. So, lots of new things to come!

First, you will receive more consistent blog posts about every 2 weeks. Topics will be based on your priorities to drop the dread and the turmoil at mealtime. All to help you bring Peace to your table and rest to your spirit through nourishment for body and soul.

Who couldn’t use a little more of that? Let’s go at it together.

Pull up a chair. There’s always room for one more.

A gentle reminder,

God wants you to know: I see you, I hear you, I love you.