familytime

In today's modern society it's all too easy to get busy. Too busy for one another, and we end up living past one another.

To keep the family together and communicating, dinner time is really the only time that we have left to share our daily experiences, support and advice with one another.

So here are a few tips to keep the family together over dinner time.

1. Involve EveryBody in the Planning Stages

That means everybody helps to plan the weekly menu, after all if people eat what they like, it lightens the mood right at the start of the meal. Naturally, one should always follow a balanced diet as well, and include at least 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

2. Give Each Person a Duty

The adults can prepare the food that requires cooking, or chopping etc, while the children can assist with things like buttering bread, or laying the table. Which brings me to my next point.

3. Sit Around a Table

Nothing helps conversation more, than looking one another in the eye!

4. Turn Off the Television

It's practically impossible to think let alone talk, if there is a TV blaring the the background, or everybody's eyes are glued to it. Turn that sucker off for the hour or two that you are preparing and having dinner together. You will probably discover a lot about one another, and each others' daily activities this way.

5. Give Everyone A Chance to Speak

Ask everyone to name something good that happened that day, and something interesting. Try to NOT focus on the negatives, but deal with them if necessary, and if other members of the family can learn something from the others experiences.

6. Give Everyone A Duty When Clearing Up

Clearing away and cleaning up can be done in less than 10 minutes if everybody pitches in, and making sure that everyone has a clearly defined role when it comes to tidying away. It's a good idea to rotate roles so that the same person does not get stuck washing the dishes!

7. Make An Occasion of It

Light the candles (be careful with little kids please), decorate the table, why wait for Christmas or Thanksgiving to make an occasion of it? Better yet, make a family 'date' once in awhile to go to a special restaurant, and celebrate being a family.

8. Planning is Everything

Do not involve the kids in too many after school activities, particularly those that carry on too late. Occasionally this is fine, but plan to eat together at least 4 out of 7 days a week at the very least.