The most beautiful thing about my family is the way we make our decisions about everything that concerns the family well being. It has been a tradition among us for as long as I could remember, we sit together in circle like board of directors whenever something pops up and there is need to brainstorm collectively. The funny thing about this is that it doesn't necessarily has to be something tangible at times, it might be something as small as change of chores routine but we find ourselves sitting with our parents discussing how exactly we need to go about it.
I mean my parents could have easily commanded the change of activities without seeking our opinion just like any other Nigerian parents but no, they care more about how we feel about their suggestions. This act has made us grown confident in the fact that we have a say in matters that concerns the family which is actually true. Though most times it is usually the family finances, probably my mom finally decides to take her business in another direction and she feels it might take away her attention from the family for a while and the only way she can come to conclusion about what to do is to seek our opinion.
Most times we agree with her because we are aware of the fact that she must have thought about it a lot before bringing it up. Moreover anything she does is in the family best interest, this is also applicable to my dad though once in awhile he always tries to pull up the man of the house stunt but we have a way of making him understand that it is either we move together or we don't move at all and he always get the gist. This meeting most times usually takes place immediately after morning devotion or after dinner. Though there are times I grumble a little whenever we are called for a meeting in the morning. It usually begins with little talks before we get into the real gist which might take some time.
I'm the kind of person that doesn't joke with going back to bed after morning devotion, nothing is as pleasant as laying my back on the bed and continue my sleep from where I stopped. Imagine trading that for morning meeting but it doesn't change the fact that I also enjoy the meeting most times, especially if we are settling dispute among each other. This specific activity as promoted oneness among us over the years, we find it difficult to keep secret from each other because why keep a secret when you could get more answers.
There are lot of bonding activities we engage in, in my family like the yearly holiday get-together party, market tour e.t.c but when it comes to eating together as a family, it is more than just a bonding act in my family, it is a rule. As long as you are at home, we all have to gather around the dining table and eat together. I guess I can call it some sort of tradition, it has been existing in my family before I can differentiate between my right and left. Though the rule is more effective during dinner because every member of my family are morning people, we all have something to do every morning especially during the week but you see dinner, no one is left out, or else the situation can't be helped.
I remember those days when I was still little, probably there is some kind of traffic delaying my dad and he is yet to come home. Normally in a situation like that, my mom will want us to have our meal but she will not eat anything until her husband is back. There are times we pretend like we are not hungry so that she will allow us to wait for our dad. It is not just out of love for our dad only, my dad is really good at doing giveaway with his meal. He will never finish his meal, there is always something left out on his plate for whoever would be taking his plate to the kitchen.
The way we watch him eat till he drops his spoon ehn, is like an hawk watching a chick. The funny part is, he knows that we are patiently watching him, so there are times he just picks something from his plate and give it to whoever he wants to give, to reduce the the numbers of eyes watching him 😅. This is the kind of traditions I miss whenever I'm not at home, even till today when I'm at home, we still patiently watch my dad while he eats.😅
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled The family that eats together in hive learners community.
Cover image - 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗏𝖺
Image 1 - Source
Image 2 - Source
