Sir, – In your feature on parenting (Sheila Wayman, HEALTHplus, January 3rd) it is suggested that the family should commit to dining together once a week.
Surely this is an insufficient period in which to set discipline and communicate fully with the children, in order to listen to their needs, views and any problems they may have and one of the few times they have your full attention? Apart from teaching them good table manners, dining together also enables parents to ensure they are eating good wholesome meals.
It was a practice in our house that the family always dined in the evening together from an early age until they left home, resulting in open conversation, where we became aware of many things that might not have become known in the daily bustle of a normal family home. In today’s world – where both parents are obliged to work – I think it might reap untold benefits. – Yours, etc,