Merry Mealtimes

The table no place for fault finding, nagging and strife.

Has it ever been your lot to sit at a table with a group of young folks who ate the meal in silence or, with a few constrained remarks, looked askance at the head of the family before venturing on any remark? I have seen such a sight on more than one occasion. Doctors have told us over and over again of the beneficial results arising from a meal eaten with a contented frame of mind and with cheerful surroundings; but, sad to say, there are many households where each meal is a constant scene of bickering, nagging and fault finding.

This is not only the case where there are young children, who require a reprimand occasionally for carelessness, but I am speaking of those homes where the girls and boys are well into their teens. Wrong is that parent, either father or mother, who chooses the hour when all are assembled round the table to mention some half forgotten grievance or to find some fault.

If any trivial thing has been done wrong or any duty omitted wait until dinner or tea is over before you scold, blame, or reprimand. Let the food which God gives us for the purpose of nourishing and sustaining our bodies have the opportunity of accomplishing that end, which cannot be the case if every mouthful is swallowed with either a sarcastic word or an uncomplimentary remark. More indigestion, nervousness and other derangements are caused by the too common fault of uncomfortable mealtimes than many people would suppose, and it is our positive duty, which we should all try to remember, to make those hours of the day cheerful and agreeable to the children and to set them an example which you would be the first to notice and approve in others.--Scotsman.