According to research, children that have meals with their family rather than sitting round the TV are more likely to succeed in life. They are healthier, do better at school, have higher self esteem and are less likely to develop eating disorders.
But even putting that research aside, sitting down together gives you a chance to catch up on the day's events, share worries, solve problems and have a laugh together. If anything is going to bring a family together having a meal will.
Tips for good conversations
Take turns in talking but try not to let anyone dominate the conversation (including the adults).
To make sure everyone gets involved in chatting and that one person doesn't monopolize the conversation, try asking a question and going round the table letting everyone answer in turn. Reminisce about things you have done recently, or plan things you will do together in the future. Or just use the obvious..."What was the best thing that happened to you today". For some children this may be too broad - so try ‘what did you play at break time today' ‘tell daddy who you played with at nursery or what happened at the supermarket'
Your might find it helpful to have a special object that you hand around to show who's turn it is to talk
Talk about the food you are eating. Ask them where it comes from, how it is made, where it grows, why it is good for them. If they have been allowed to help with the preparation they'll be delighted with themselves to know the answers.
Really enjoy the time together - try not to think of the 100 things you have to do - even if you all only sit together for ten minutes, make it a nice ten minutes.
Special meal day
If you don't normally have meals round a table, maybe because everyone gets in at different times, then designate a particular day each week as Special Meal Day. Choose a day of the week when you can regularly eat together - Special Meal Day. It's often good to choose the weekend when most of us have more time, but you might want to choose a Friday evening when everyone is chilled out after a week's work... whatever suits you and your family.
But even putting that research aside, sitting down together gives you a chance to catch up on the day's events, share worries, solve problems and have a laugh together. If anything is going to bring a family together having a meal will.
Tips for good conversations
Take turns in talking but try not to let anyone dominate the conversation (including the adults).
To make sure everyone gets involved in chatting and that one person doesn't monopolize the conversation, try asking a question and going round the table letting everyone answer in turn. Reminisce about things you have done recently, or plan things you will do together in the future. Or just use the obvious..."What was the best thing that happened to you today". For some children this may be too broad - so try ‘what did you play at break time today' ‘tell daddy who you played with at nursery or what happened at the supermarket'
Your might find it helpful to have a special object that you hand around to show who's turn it is to talk
Talk about the food you are eating. Ask them where it comes from, how it is made, where it grows, why it is good for them. If they have been allowed to help with the preparation they'll be delighted with themselves to know the answers.
Really enjoy the time together - try not to think of the 100 things you have to do - even if you all only sit together for ten minutes, make it a nice ten minutes.
Special meal day
If you don't normally have meals round a table, maybe because everyone gets in at different times, then designate a particular day each week as Special Meal Day. Choose a day of the week when you can regularly eat together - Special Meal Day. It's often good to choose the weekend when most of us have more time, but you might want to choose a Friday evening when everyone is chilled out after a week's work... whatever suits you and your family.
No comments:
Post a Comment