Family time is very important to my family. When I was growing up, we ate dinner together every night, even though it meant my dad had to drive home and then go back to work (he owned his own business). And we participated in Family Game night at church, or had our own at home.

My husband's family wasn't really like that. No one was home at the same time starting when he was about 12. He learned to do the cooking because no one else was there to do it.

As a result, between our two backgrounds, family time is really important to us--me because it's what's normal for me, and him because he didn't have it for the last part of his childhood.

Our kids are in activities, so we don't always get that time in the evenings. When we do, we grill out a nice, leisurely meal where they can play or sit around and talk while the food is cooking. On the evenings we can't do that, we either do that for lunch, or if my husband can't be home for lunch, we make sure we have a free day on the weekend to play games together or take a short siteseeing trip or a hike.

We do spend a lot of time in the car together, with all the kids' activities, so there are games and talking going on there, too.

I really think my kids benefit in all kinds of ways from this:

1. The long, leisurely meals have given them manners; the art of conversation; and a rather French attitude toward food. They know good food and are adventurous eaters, rather than the pickiness common among young kids. And they are all good weights (rather than overweight).

2. All the talking has helped them develop their critical thinking skills, as well as exposed them to ideas and concepts. It's a painless way to educate.

3. All the games have also helped them develop their skills: vocabulary, thinking skills, imagination.

4. The site-seeing and hiking have introduced them to history of the places we've visited; natural history and wildlife; the arts and beauty; and helped keep them fit.

5. And spending time together helps your children both trust and respect you, unless you're actively doing something to undo it.

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