Family Dinners at Sea: A Cruise, a Challenge, and a Lesson in Patience Part 6 of my year of 100 Dinners

Family dinners #18-24 of 100 this year took place somewhere in the middle of the ocean. No cooking, no cleaning, no grocery shopping—just showing up at a set time to sit down together. Sounds like a dream, right? Well… mostly.

Taking a cruise with my kids, my brothers, and their families gave us the best of both worlds—freedom during the day and a guaranteed family dinner at night. My daughter thrived in this setup, tentatively trying new foods with the safety net of “ordering something else later.” My 16-year-old son, on the other hand, saw dinner as an obstacle to hanging out with his new cruise friends. Cue resistance.

There were nights he pushed back, testing limits and hoping I’d let him skip the meal. I didn’t. He sat at the table, sometimes with an attitude, but he was there. I didn’t engage in power struggles, yell, or hand out harsh punishments—I just held the boundary. And while his behavior didn’t magically change mid-cruise, something did shift after the trip. Away from the moment, he reflected on his choices. We had a real conversation. He understood my perspective, and I listened to his. It was a reminder that connection isn’t about controlling behavior—it’s about showing up, modeling respect, and trusting that growth happens over time.

The research backs it up. Studies show that family dinners improve communication, boost emotional well-being, and help teens develop decision-making skills. A Harvard study found that kids who have regular family meals are more likely to have higher self-esteem and better academic performance. Even when it’s messy—even when there’s resistance—dinner together is worth it.

So, was every dinner smooth sailing? Nope. But was it valuable? Absolutely. Because at the end of the day (or the end of the cruise), the goal isn’t just dinner. It’s connection. It’s consistency. And sometimes, it’s just keeping the seat at the table warm until they’re ready to emotionally fill it.🚢🍽️💙