How to Sit Down to Dinner as a Family Every Night
It's difficult to manage a traditional family meal when jobs and activities get in the way, people are tired and no one has been to the store. If you want to sit down to dinner as a family every night but aren't sure how, here are some tips that will help get everyone to the table.
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How to Sit Down to Dinner as a Family Every Night
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Look at your family members' schedules. Is there a free hour between activities on weekdays or a time when everyone can be present on weekends? If not, you may need to juggle some activities--some may need to be dropped or postponed. There's no reason why dinner has to be on the table at the same time every night. Consider adjusting mealtimes to allow all to attend.
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Share the responsibility. Shopping, setting the table, cooking and cleaning up shouldn't fall on just one person. Make a schedule that involves everyone, from oldest to youngest, doing his share. Families are more invested in mealtime when everyone has something to contribute.
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Plan ahead. Coming up with a menu is easier when you're working from a plan. If planning ahead isn't your thing, consider assigning certain ingredients to the days of the week. That doesn't mean Monday has to be meatloaf night, but it might be the night you cook with ground beef. Having a plan narrows your focus while still allowing for variety.
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Invest in fallback meals. Keep some pizzas in the freezer or make a double batch of soup--half for now, half for the night you get home too tired to cook. Family meals are most difficult to sustain when life's responsibilities get in the way. Be prepared.
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