News and Goods...

I have to share about this practice we've started at our house. Some months ago I was reading Parenting and it talked about this idea for sharing "News and Goods" at the dinner table. So on the nights when we are able to sit down as a family (as often as possible), we started this. The point is for everyone to go around the table and share their "News and Goods" from the day. With 3 1/2 year old twins, the things that they are able to share are often funny, sometimes revealing and never cease to amaze me. What also amazes me is that after the first few times of prompting by me, this has become a practice that my children LOVE! As soon as we sit down and say our mealtime prayer, "God is good, God is great...", Aidan or Cord, or both, begin prompting..."Mommy, say your news and goods!" They always want Chad and I to share first, while they are thinking of what to say. And while their first "news and goods" were pretty simple, for instance, "Um, today I played cars..." (that's Cord's favorite thing to share), the things they've shared recently have gotten more complex and detailed and they really get the meaning of the exercise. I remember always sitting down to dinner with my family growing up, even though both of my parents worked full time, and for most of my life, my Dad would return to work around my bedtime (he was the county sheriff for 20 years). I know that those memories helped shape me into the person I am and I hope to pass those memories on to my children. I also know that "News and Goods" around the family dinner table will always be a part of our lives.