We ALWAYS eat dinner together (unless Jazz is sick and is asleep, or something like that etc). Granted we are a young one-child family, so it isnt hard. Jazz eats what we eat, when we eat. I have dinner ready for all of us early (between 5 and 6) so we can eat together.

Growing up in my family (until my sis and I got jobs and were sometimes not home), it was the same. We all ate at the same time.

I hear of families who regularly feed the kids first then cook for themselves and eat once the kids go to bed, and i sort of get it - they want to eat dinner hot and in peace? But thats not for us, dinner is the only meal we get together (except 2 days a week when Shel isnt at work), so its special (its not always at the table, but it is always together).