I have often blamed television for the break down of the family. That wasn’t the problem. I remember television as family unity – at first. Small houses, television in the den could be seen from the kitchen. Put on “I Love Lucy” or “Ozzie and Harriet” and everybody watched, made comments, and laughed together. Parents could even use the story to teach some lessons regarding fun and good manners.
The problem began with the TV Tray and bigger houses.
Well, yes, I am older than TV trays! I remember how much I wanted some. I think I remember getting a set with Green Stamps.
TV tray life style produced the malnourished child above. Maybe not malnourished from food; malnourished from family.
So many evil ways develop from innocent gateways! The devil is a deceiver and the master of lies. He is much more likely to appear beautiful and alluring than with red horns and a pitchfork. Avoid him if possible. If you can’t do that, stand up to him in the name of Jesus. Refuse his candy and roses. James Garfield said, ““A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil.”.
Sweet aroma 
Amen! “Bigger houses” is so true. I know a couple who got divorced and I really think the problem was this big house. They could go weeks without seeing each other and so they did.
A likely result, especially, coupled with debt which is the only thing they communicate about…each blaming the other… as they return to their own rooms and turn on the TV which they need because they don’t like the same shows. Poverty in a life of abundance.
Good reminder that we can be malnourished from family.
Heart starvation, as mom comes in bringing the snack foods. I hate being so negative but that’s much too true and it is what commercials and situation “comedy” promote.
Amen Oneta, Amen!
Oh my dad got us TV trays way back in the day…black and white tv days.. and it was quite the treat. We could sit in the den watching Disney on Sunday evenings. Of course dad was actually selfish in his purchase as he wanted to be able to watch football, never missing a play.
Then my grandmother got tv trays so she could sit in the back room where the lone AC unit hung on a window so she could eat, watch TV and be cool…as in literally cool.
But when our son was little, his granddad, my dad, bought him a tv with a video cassette built in…he insisted on using his little table for coloring as his own personal dinner table…
Fast forward to us looking around a furniture shop the other day…
I noticed that the current coffee tables all had telescoping lifting sections, think like a hospital tray table. A coffee table that could lift allowing one to put plates on top without having to lean over and down. I asked the sales lady if this was a trend of folks wanting to simply eat in front of the TV in their dens…yes she said.
So I suppose kitchen tables may become victims of the times …hummmm…not to mention meaningful relationships….
You have added the details to my thoughts. I glad you remembered this progression of events. In my house right now, we have five working tv sets. Another one sits here on my desk asking me where it will go next. Actually we had it in the kitchen but moved it out to make way for a new appliance. I don’t know what to do with it. It is too small for anyone to want it. I pretty much force the issue of watching a couple hours each evening with my husband. But we have a hard time finding anything to watch. We have finally settled on watching some Catherine Cookson movies. But too many of them do not have captions which we need.
Ha! I remember TV trays. The tool of the devil for sure.
Blessings.
Helps us each to do our own thing. Not many say grace “thanks” at a TV tray. Maybe there is not much to be thankful for with a tv dinner. 😀
Interesting memories all. Thank you,
When we visit family normal conversation seems to be conducted over or amongst tv trays, iphones, tv’s background babbling or football constant urgent messages about scores from all;-round the world on a special link or local update on corona virus or need for vaccinations from areas far away from where we are sitting. Brave new satellite connections and smart new tv trays, yes food but conversations sparse.
Outside a glorious star studded night. No wonder Be still and KNOW that I am God . still impacts me profoundly as I choose to sit in a deck chair with a tv dinner tray, ,,,,,outside!!
Sounds inviting. Enjoy your snacks from the tv tray. You, like I, probably do not have a family to prepare a kitchen table for.