TV, video games, iPods and cell phones mean that our lives are filled with noise. The quantity of this communication, however, comes at the expense of quality. It is a sad commonplace that most parents and children talk to each other for less than 5 minutes a day – one knowledgable source I asked about this suggested it was about 2.6 minutes per day. How sad is that?
For this reason, Bret Nicholaus and Tom McGrath of Loyola Press have put together “The Meal Box,” a deck of 52 cards with a fun and thought-provoking question on one side and a practical tip for parents on the other side which helps them apply the question to their family’s faith live.
For example,
“If someone gave you $1,000 in cash – in the form of ten $100 bills – and told you that you had to give it all away within twenty-four hours, to whom would you give the money?
Food for Family Thought: Advertising fills our children’s imaginations with many things they can acquire and possess. Counter that by showing your child the joy of being a creative giver. For example, invite your child to donate toys and clothes to those in need or to assist a neighbor who could use a helping hand.”
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Michelle 04.16.09 at 8:58 am
When I pulled this page up, the quote on the sidebar was from Thomas Merton: “The biggest disease in North America is busyness.” (Which makes me suspect the cherubim are loose in your computers!) I just submitted a column about the noise in the world … and silence. Written in what seemed like 2.6 minute intervals last night while two teens kept plopping into the chair in my office to talk. This post makes me glad I let the plopping proceed rather than insist on grand silence (and regret the times I’ve tossed them out!).
Eric 04.16.09 at 10:22 am
The Meal Box is a terrific idea, but I am afraid it is not just our children that need guidance through this era of incredible communication (or non-communication) devices. How many times have you seen two people, especially couples, at a restaurant table and one is on a cell phone? How many times have you seen a family at a restaurant and the parents as well as the kids are texting? My favorite was a couple walking briskly together through a park, both on cell phones each talking to someone else. How many of us spend more time communicating with people with whom we are not physically present than we do with people who are physically present? If we adults do not change our behavior, I am afraid there is little hope that our children will change theirs.
Joe 04.17.09 at 7:44 am
Anything that draws us closer to our loved ones in a creative and playful way is a genuinely inspired and inspiring gift. As a friend and colleague to both of the creators of The Meal Box, I know for certain that not only are they passionate about what they’ve done but both live it in their daily lives with family and friends.
Anne 04.17.09 at 9:59 am
This is great, but lots of families don’t have meals together, especially during sports or activities seasons. While that’s an issue in itself, we have to meet people where they are, so why confine the box to meals? The Meal Box can be a Car Box or a Waiting On Line Box or the Waiting for The Next Game in the Tournament Box – or the Any Place We Find Ourselves Together Box.
Maura 04.17.09 at 10:54 am
Love that this has both a question to discuss and a call to action! I know I will be investing in a set for Rel. Ed gatherings as well as our own dinner table.
readergirl 04.19.09 at 9:49 am
great concept! we eat, as a family, 6 nights out of 7 and limit activities that interrupt the dinner hour. it gives us a chance to touch base with each other and work as a team to solve problems.
you would be surprised at the number of people who get upset with us when we say we can’t come to a meeting because it is scheduled during dinner!
Maura 04.20.09 at 6:28 am
Reader Girl
I know what you mean about that sacredness of meal time. It is very important. As a teen even when we had jobs it was expected that we would be home for dinner. I believe it really kept us grounded. Now with a husband who works shifts it is a bit more difficult to give our son that same experience. But we do make an effort to sit at the table even when dad’s not home and when he is it is a really big deal.
In ministry one of the options for 1st communion class that families may choose is early on a weeknight evening at 6:15. I am shocked at the number of parents and kids who arrive from other after school/work activities who have not yet had supper. I incorporated a snack and discussion time for the parents and kids at the begining of the session so they could at least get some food on board and to help model for them the importance of sitting down and sharing a “meal” together.
readergirl 04.21.09 at 1:59 pm
Maura,
great idea! it is so important to provide a model and hope it catches on.
our parish provides two year first communion instruction during mass times. the children are welcomed by father and then sent to their classrooms after the opening prayer. they return for the Our Father. It has worked well, as more parents get in the habit of attending Mass and kids are getting their religious instruction.
also, we are very lucky to have jobs that allow us to make it to meal time and we try to remember that each day!
Maura 04.22.09 at 10:27 am
The other time that parents can choose to come for the 1st eucharist sessions is immediately following a Mass. Since it was close to lunch time parents took turns working together to provide the meal that we shared.
I have often been urged to do formation sessions of one kind or another durring Mass but hesitate because I want to see even young kids experiencing the Mass. While I intellectually get why some people do it for a huge variety of reasons, and I understand the theory behind children’s liturgy of the Word. I watch my son who is not yet 1st communion age and see that he can partcipate and does recieve grace from being at Mass and can’t bring my self to deprive any child that experience for the practical reasons of schedule/ space etc. I guess I feel like if my goal is to prepare him to be a full active partcipant at Mass I should help him experience it.
This isn’t a chriticism it’s just my personal perspective.