How to Have Dinner As A Family Every Night

Sitting together as a family and sharing a meal and conversation has become a lost tradition. Its so important to take time to gather together each night as a family and reconnect and share.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Having dinner as a family is important. With so many schedules and time constraints I know this can be a challenge. But the benefits are so important. Studies have found that sitting together as a family for a mean is a simple, effective way to reduce the risk of youth substance abuse and to raise healthier children.
   • Compared to teens that have frequent family dinners, those who rarely have family dinners are three-and-a-half times more likely to have abused prescription drugs or an illegal drug other than marijuana.
   • Girls who have five or more meals a week with their families are one-third less likely to develop unhealthy eating habits, which can range from skipping meals to full-fledged anorexia or abusing diet pills.
   • Parental influence and involvement is an important tool in preventing substance abuse. Regularly sitting down for a meal with your children is one way to connect with them and be involved with what is happening in their lives.

2. If sitting together really is impossible because of conflicting schedules there are still some things you can do. If your kids come home late from football practice, you and your husband can and should still sit with them while they have their meal. Sit down with a cup of coffee or dessert while they eat and talk with them. Same with your husband. If he tends to come home 3 hours after you and the kids have had dinner, you can all sit with him at the table while he eats. Give the kids a nighttime snack while Dad is eating his dinner.

3. Talk with your children at the table. Discuss their day. Have each member of the family share their favorite part of that day and what was the hardest part of their day. Information and knowledge is power. Knowing what's going on in our children's lives is part of our job. Turn off the television. Get rid of distractions that take away from the discussions at the table. Talking to our children is important, but listening is just as important. Make the time special. Make it a time everyone in the family looks forward to. Here's some more tips to get you started.

4. Set a pretty table. Show that this is important to you. Use dishes, not paper plates. Set the table properly. This is a good time to teach your children how to set a table the proper way. You would be surprised how many kids have no clue what side of the dish a fork should go on, or where to place the drinking glass. To set a basic table, you will need a dinner plate, glass, knife, fork, spoon and napkin. A simple centerpiece, salt and pepper along with any other seasonings or condiments your family enjoys is a wonderful finishing touch. Placemats or tablecloths are nice also. Place the dinner plates one inch from the edge of the table. If there is a pattern in the middle of the plate, make sure that it is right side. Place the knife on the right side of the plate, blade inward, one inch from the edge of the table, handle end of knife at the bottom. Make sure the knife is next to the plate, not underneath the plate. The tablespoon is placed next to the knife, also one inch from the bottom of the table. The fork is place on the left side of the dinner plate one inch from the edge of the table, making sure it is also next to the plate verses underneath the plate. The napkin is folded in half and placed next to the fork with the crease farthest away from the fork. The glass is placed directly above the knife approximately one inch.

5. Remember that you don't have to be in the kitchen all day cooking up an elaborate meal. Sometimes its fun just to order pizza and then serve it up in the dining room instead of the kitchen. Get out the fancy dishes and pour the kids ginger ale in wine glasses. Use cloth napkins and a table cloth and light some candles. Its the little details that make magic!

6. Centerpieces can be simple or elaborate, or fun and festive. Table setting themes are easy with seasonal items and seasonal napkins. Seasonal salt and pepper shakers can be purchased inexpensively. A bouquet of flowers, a ceramic object, pinecones, a toy, leaves, fruit, and almost anything else can be used as a centerpiece. Let your children take turns at picking out centerpieces or creating them! Children love making simple placemats from construction paper to go along with a theme. They can be colored, painted, or stamped.

7. Start the family meal time tradition. Don't let your kids just grab a plate and go to where ever they want in the house. Sitting together for a family meal is becoming a lost art, and a forgotten tradition. This is a time to make memories and to laugh and show love with your family.

[aprilapple]

on 8/22/2009 great article!5*