Independent studies done recently show that children love to sit down at the supper table and eat a meal with their parents. Additionally, they tend to eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal when they eat a family dinner. Many pediatric dieticians postulate that having dinner together is a crucial piece of preventing childhood obesity puzzle. However with the hectic lives people seem to lead these days, getting the family all together in the same place at the same time can be a mountainous undertaking. Between work schedules, after-school activities, errands, and the like, it seems family together time is at a premium.   However with a few ingenious ideas and some planning, meal time can be an enjoyable and treasured family time.
Assign no less than one night per week to have a sit-down dinner with your family.  Sunday nights are usually a good choice for this event because you have more time to enjoy and the weekend chores have been completed. Next, the parents should come up with ideas to spruce up the family meal.
Tell an Amusing Story About Squirrels Night. Suggest the topic a couple of days ahead of time, so people will have time to prepare. A couple of ground rules: Everyone gets to tell their story uninterrupted. And each person thanks the person who has taken a turn before him or her.
Pretend We’re at a Restaurant Night. Talk quietly, and eat in a civilized way and act polite.
Tell Something Good About Carrots Night. You don’t have to eat it, you just have to look it up and present to the rest of the family something good about it.
Pretend We’re on an Island Where There’s Nothing to Eat but Vegetables Night. Be sure to take requests.
Involve your children in choosing the meal and preparation.  This gives them a strong sense of value and the groundwork for a life of healthy meal planning and preparation.
Avoid outside interruptions. Make sure the television is off, and make it a rule that all phone calls go to voice mail or the answering machine during the meal.  Use this time to communicate with one another and appreciate the family’s company.  This is a terrific time to restore and dig up what things happened this week.  Take your time eating, and teach your children how to do the same in the process.  Slowly eating is a healthy habit.  Don’t jump up and start clearing dishes and putting things away until everyone is finished eating and talking.
Doing your meals this way at least once a week can provide a significant foundation for healthy diet and healthy living for you and your family.

 

About the Author

Derrel Allen is a father of five, information technology adviser and professional entertainer. Read more about kids party entertainment at his website http://www.omagic.com/magicianindallas.htm