Does eating demand your full attention like driving?

[fjtee]

The problem with having TV on while eating is that you tend to mindlessly shovel food into your mouth and then you overeat. The last study I saw was on that TV show, "The Truth about Food," but I'm sure it would be simple to look up other studies. It is, as others have said, a deterrent from interacting with everyone else at the table. We always turn off the TV now that we have children. That was the way it was while we were growing up. Before children, we'd eat in front of the TV all the time. If we ate too much, well it was our fault and we had to deal with the consequences. Children have to be given good models, though, so we reformed. I'm sure once they're off to college, we'll resume all of our old bad habits and the girls will be ashamed to bring their friends home.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by 121804

Well, are you asking this in relation to adults eating with the tv on or young children eating with the tv on or teenagers, etc etc etc?

Our policy is no tv on during meal times. It's the time of day where we are together as a family & to us, as cheesy as it sounds to some, it's a special time. It won't last forever, so we take advantage of it for today.

Of course, there are exceptions. We usually watch tv or a DVD when we order pizza. My dh & son have a movie they like to watch & usually have some sort of snack.

I find tv these days to be a complete bore. I also have two children under the age of 3 & find 75% of the stuff on tv way beyond what they should be exposed to at such a young age.

With young children, it can be a distraction and they could choke or not eat their food b/c the show is more interesting, which is usually the case.

As they grow up, I would assume most parents would be a little more lenitent when appropriate. Like if you have a bunch of friends over & are in high school, I am sure they'd have a better time eating pizza and watching tv than having a convo with the parents at the dinner table.

As for right now in our lives & due to work schedule, it is usually just myself & my children at dinner time. I find "conversation" with them far more interesting than what is on tv.

What you said!!! +1

[5FLgirls]

Originally Posted by hutch5

TV during meals is a distraction.

I certainly notice that in the few occasion we decide to treat the children and we watch a movie while eating, nobody makes any comment on the food they´re eating and I can even manage to get my son to eat things he does not like!!!

A meal together is often the only time a family has (at least during week days)to talk, share opinions and experiences and if they have the TV in the background or even as the "main guest" at the table all that precious time together is lost.

We very rarely have the TV on and really enjoy the time spent together around the table.

If one is alone is a different matter. I often watch the lunch time news as I am eating on my own but it is a totally different dynamic

Ditto. Ditto.

In our last two houses, we had a combo family room/kitchen and my girls would watch TV while they ate breakfast. I finally realized that I would have to repeat myself numerous times before they would pay attention to me. No more TV during meal times! However, my husband was raised as a latchkey kid and almost all of his meals were alone in front of the TV. His favorite thing to do with our girls is to have a picnic in front of the TV and watch a movie (or his preference is sports)

When we are together as a family, we eat at the dining room table and talk about our day (including my 1 year old --it is hysterical to ask her because she actually babbles an answer to us). And my girls aren't excused until everyone is finished eating. I want them to also learn some table manners and patience! For some families, dinner time is the only time during the day they are together and I want to enjoy that special time with mine.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by drjones96

We usually leave the TV on in the living room unless the kids get too distracted by it and then we'll turn it off or mute it. And if it's something we want to watch we'll pause it (DVR).

Exactly so! good invention that DVR box!!!