Growing up Mama’s family (well, extended family included) that got together every Sunday to have a big family dinner. Usually it was family-style pasta, salad, garlic bread and some yummy dessert, a bunch of loud aunts and uncles and Mama’s grandmother all gathered around the table talking and laughing about the week’s events. Whoever was in town would be there and usually someone would be bringing in a bag of laundry to do while dinner was being made. That was some good times…then everyone grew up, moved away and soon the family dinners dwindled down to just Mama and her grandmother…but you know what, it was still a family dinner — just the two of us.
To this day, Mama is adamant about having family dinners. It’s one of the most important times of the day where we can all sit together, enjoy a meal and talk about our highs and lows of the day. While the kids are still young, we’re able to have a family dinner almost every night. However, Mama realizes that soon the kids will be busy with sports, homework, friends and after-school activities that eventually it might not happen every single night. But as long as Mama tries to make it a priority, we’re determined to continue the family dinner at least four to five nights a week. It’s vital to engaging with your kids and knowing what is going on in their lives at school, with friends and their other interests.
So what do you think of the family dinner — necessary? impossible? Do you make it a nightly ritual to eat together?
While it’s not always easy to get everyone together — Dad works late, kids are hungry earlier, mom is traveling…there are always excuses but there are also things that can help make it easier for you and your family to integrate it into your daily routine.
Schedule a reminder — Why not broadcast the delicious menu for all to see? Posting a fun memo and reminder to the whole family will make it a priority in their schedule. Mama loves the Framed Chalkboard, $99, from potterybarn.com to get the message across — Turkey Tacos at 6 p.m.!
Start a conversation — small talk is okay but use the family dinner time to really get to know how your kids are doing in school and what’s going on in their lives. Some kids will talk willingly but others will need a little more prodding to talk about what’s happening. For inspiration, try Table Topics Family, $24, at amazon.com.
Plan a menu — so the family doesn’t want to eat one more bite of lasagna…that doesn’t mean that you need to cancel dinner all together. No, you just need a little bit of meal inspiration. Mama loves the site TheScramble.com which gives you healthy meal preparation ideas that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Think yummy meal ideas like Tortellini with Crisped Bacon and Peas, Spinach Burritos and Spice-rubbed Chicken. TheScramble.com, starting at $3 per month.
If all else fails and you just can’t make it to the dinner table together…everything always works out over milk and cookies! What’s your best family dinner advice?
My philosophy is simple: just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to forgo style or your life. You can do it all with a little help from Mama. Mama makes life easier by doing all the shopping, crafting and ranting for you because really...what Mama has the time for that?! Mama will not lie, I can bake but if you're looking for cooking tips you might be better off going someplace else!
