Two out of three families in Australia don’t eat together regularly, according to Mars. But why? Why is one of the most important pastimes slipping away from us?
I believe there are many reasons, but before I jump into them, please watch this video:
In this video, people were asked:
“If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose?”
The adults named celebrities—Justin Bieber, Bob Hawke, or other famous figures. But the children? They simply wanted one more dinner with their family. They valued time with their loved ones over any celebrity interaction.
How incredible is that?
So, the question is: Why has this important tradition—once a staple in nearly every household—become almost non-existent in homes across Australia?
The Reasons Family Dinners Are Disappearing
Here are some key reasons, based on research:
1. The Rise of Devices
With technology comes distraction, distance, and a lack of real human interaction. Research suggests that many families allow devices at the dinner table or keep the TV on during meals, reducing meaningful conversation.
2. Busy Lives
Families today are busier than ever—shuttling children to sports, dance, and drama, often traveling further for school. This means less time at the dinner table. Research also shows that many parents work well over 40-hour weeks, leaving early and returning home late.
3. The Focus Is on Food, Not Conversation
We all need to eat, but for many families, the focus is solely on getting food on the table rather than engaging in conversation. Think about it—how much time do we spend deciding what to eat versus what to talk about? The value of conversation has been lost in the rush to simply feed the family.
4. Lack of Communication Skills
Some families struggle to communicate beyond, “How was school?” or “How’s the weather?” It’s not their fault—many people were never taught how to have meaningful conversations. We don’t know what we don’t know.
5. Fear of Arguments
One study found that some families avoid eating together because meals often lead to arguments—about politics, personal matters, or other tensions.
How Do We Bring Back Family Dinners and Meaningful Conversations?
This is where The Table Talk Project comes in.
We provide tools to help families create space for meaningful conversations. When we do this, the benefits are enormous. [Check out the benefits here.]
One of our key tools is ‘Back at the Table’—a simple, easy-to-use web app designed to guide families through a structured meal:
🍽 Entrée – Preparing and eating food (we provide the recipes).
💬 Main Course – Engaging in conversation (we provide the conversation starters).
❤️ Dessert – A check-in to ensure everyone leaves the table feeling heard and supported.Many families have found this simple tool transforms their mealtimes and strengthens their relationships.
Give it a try! [Click here to get started.]
Will You Have Dinner With Your Family This Week?
Not just a meal—a meaningful conversation.
I’m passionate about this because of my own childhood experience.
In the 1980s, my family ate dinner together every night—but we weren’t encouraged to talk. We were expected to sit down, be quiet, and eat. No one asked how my day was. No one engaged in real conversation. My biggest memory? Being forced to eat vegetables (which I hated!).
Years later, after starting The Table Talk Project, I asked my parents:
“If you had access to a tool like this back then, would you have used it?”
Their answer? “Yes.”
As a child, I longed to share, to laugh, and to experience deep conversations around the dinner table. To have a voice—and to be heard.
Maybe you resonate with this. Maybe your experience was similar, or maybe you have fond memories of your family dinners. Either way, I encourage you to reclaim this important tradition—not just in your family, but by sharing it with others. Better yet, invite someone over for dinner and start the conversation.
Let’s Make a Difference—One Meal at a Time
I’d love to hear from you!
📧 Email us and let us know:
✔ What worked well?
✔ What challenges did you face?Together, we can bring back family dinners and strengthen relationships—one meaningful conversation at a time.
