The 777 makes this a fairly easy decision. Parents in 2D and 2K, kids in row 11 (J) which is less than 2 feet away and separated only by a curtain (versus galley and lavs on 744). No traffic disruption to other F pax. At the margin, safety also enhanced due family is proximate to one another. Don't laugh, I've lost friends and/or colleagues that didn't make it out of accidents where others did. No way I'm putting that much distance between me and my kids.

As for the why component, my kids aren't old enough to drink and they don't like caviar. I'm happy conserving currency having them in the first row of J while I'm a few feet ahead them with the Mrs.