Ways to Keep Your Mealtime Sane

Does your family wolf down their meal in minutes? Sit in the front of the TV staring straight ahead without ever talking with one another? Is dinner time even something that happens in your house? If you’re answered yes to any of these, maybe I can help. Dinner time should be one of the most sacred times of the day. It’s a chance to sit down as a family and converse, enjoy great food, and relax. Here are a few tips to make your dinner time meals something really special.

Designate a Time
Sometimes work schedules prevent having a regular meal time, but if you can, aim for a set dinner time that will bring people together. Let your children know this time is important to you, and set a goal for everyone in the house to come together at this time.

Play Some Music
Allow each children (and adult) to choose the music that will be played during dinner. It may mean you’ll be exposed to listening to something you wouldn’t have chosen yourself (to put it mildly) but it will open up a dialog between you and your child.

Cook!
If you eat out a lot, learn to make a few tried and true dishes your family enjoys. Get the kids involved if you can. Talk about the recipe and find out what each person prefers.

Set a Nice Table
Pull out the cloth napkins and nice tablecloth. Make your daily dinner something special. Don’t wait until a specific date on the calendar.

Skip the TV
While some families prefer to eat their meals in front of the boob tube, try to eat around the table. It was drastically change the dynamic and make your meal “feel” much more meaningful than gobbling away in front of the TV.

Invite Conversation
Let the dinner hour be the place where everyone comes together to talk about their day. Ask your kid’s questions. Find out about their life and the things they have on their mind. Create an environment where dinner is looked forward to.

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