Making the Most of Family Mealtime

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Making the Most of Family Mealtime

January 25, 2023

Family dinners don’t happen very often in many homes for reasons like working late, after-school activities, varied schedules, or being a single parent doing it all. The list goes on and on and the result could be choosing something quick and easy while not always being healthy or eating at separate times in different places.

Complicated lives can be challenging for families to get together and enjoy quality time, but time spent together can have enormous benefits for everyone’s well-being. Here are some helpful ways to make family mealtime easier:

  • Plan and shop for food once weekly. Having food on hand saves time and energy.
  • Use a slow cooker. Start the slow cooker before leaving the house and come home to a delicious meal.
  • Get your family involved. Children can wash vegetables, fold napkins, or mash potatoes. Contribution fosters competence.
  • Make family meals fun. Focus on relaxing and enjoying each other. This is an opportunity for authentic engagement.

Eating together may seem tough, but it is more than possible. Start by designating one day a week and build up over time. Remember, this can be any meal.

After doing your best to create a family mealtime, what are the fruits of your labor? Well, enjoying a meal together as a family can be very beneficial for everyone involved.

  • Learning about each other. When the hustle and bustle of the day are over, this is a relaxing time for each person to share their best and worst experiences of the day.
  • Bonding and making memories. Eating together as a family allows time for bonding. As time goes on, children may not remember what they ate, but they will have memories of being together.
  • Contributing. There is a lot of work that goes into the planning and preparation of meals and cleaning afterward. These tasks create an opportunity for families to work together. Enhance your relationship by working side by side to discuss what to eat, shop for and cook.

Make the most of family mealtime and take the opportunity to strengthen your bond as a family, bon appétit.