Here’s How to Bring your Family Around the Dinner Table Tonight
Monday, May 12th, 2008
Bring your family around the dinner table is as easy as just asking them to join you for dinner. Here are some other ways to encourage more time at the table during meals.
Select the menu:
1. Have the children pick out what they want for dinner. It will make them more interested in the meal and give them self confidence in knowing they have hand in helping prepare dinner.
2. Opt for meals that are quick and easy. One of the best ways to have dinner prepared in a snap is to use a crock-pot, or a steamer. These appliances allow more time to eat and discuss the day with your family.
3. Make sure you have things on hand and don’t have to run to the store in the middle of setting the table or even asking your children to help.
Gather around the table as a whole group:
1. Have the kids help you make sitting arrangements and place holders. If they are involved with more they will want to have fun with dinner every night.
2. Have the children take turns on nights that the table need to be set for dinner. Assign each child to a task and the will know it needs to be done when dinner time comes.
Share your thoughts during dinner time:
1. Give everyone a chance to tell others about their day or their thoughts. School-age children love sharing stories about what happened with them at school, especially if it is a positive.
Participate in some after dinner activities:
1. Have a movie night or a game night after the dinner table has been cleared and the chores have been done. Again, allow the children to choose what they would like to do and what would be more fun for them.
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Earthly Eating Recipe
Fruit and Cream Pie
Serves: 4
1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
¼ cup cold water
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup yogurt (vanilla flavor)
1 tbs. lemon juice
1 prepared 9-inch (6 ounce) graham cracker crust
2 cups sliced strawberries and kiwifruit
Sprinkle the gelatin over water in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until it is completely dissolved. Combine sweetened condensed milk, yogurt, gelatin mixture and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Pour into pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Arrange fruit over the filling.
Happy Eating!
