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Tips to Make Family Meals Fun
- Plan ahead. Write down a weekly dinner menu and post it on the refrigerator. Children look forward to it—especially if you make it sound good!
- Get everyone involved. For example, one family has the children set the table while dad cooks. Then mom and the children clean up.
- Establish clear expectations. Family rules may include: No phone calls or text messages during dinner, be polite to the cook, ask to be excused, and clear your dishes.
- Slow down. To create a calm environment, try an occasional candlelit dinner.
- Keep it pleasant! Don’t use mealtime to resolve family conflicts or discuss school problems. Emphasize open discussion - have fun at mealtime with Eat. Talk. Connect! conversation starters.
- Turn off the TV and set a rule that no one will answer the phone or texts while enjoying your family meal. This is your time to connect.
- Don’t expect too much from the cook. A balanced meal is a balanced meal—whether it was cooked from scratch or came out of a box!
This page was last updated on: 12/16/2008
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