When the kids are around, which is most of the time, we set the table (always with napkins, Koala . . . but then I lived down under for 5 yrs ).

My kids aren't allowed to eat snacks out of a bag or package either, they have to get a bowl. It helps "monitor" how much they eat. They eat snacks in the living room sometimes, but nothing messy (popcorn, etc.).

The main reasons are that I like to have the family together for meals, and I don't want to have to clean EVERY room after eating. If I was on my own, I'd probably eat most of my meals at the computer.

Cherie

We ate meals at the dining room or kitchen table all the time when the kids were young..Now, I'm up at 4am 3days a week for work, so breakfast is in front of the computer or by the counter. Lunch, on days I work, I eat in the car. I need to get out of the building to save my sanity, so I find a nice spot by the river to eat & read or just think. Dinner is usually in the living room ~ sometimes with the TV on, sometimes not.