I recently learned something that shocked me: the number of families having nightly dinners together is at an all-time low in the US. This is sad because so much good comes from meeting together for this daily meal. It's a time where we can talk about our days, joke around, and genuinely enjoy each other's company. The act of breaking bread together is as old a tradition as humans have, so I think letting it go without a fight is not the best idea!
Maybe you're thinking that dinner together is too chaotic or even impossible to orchestrate. I get it! I have 11 kids, many with busy schedules and all with varying temperaments, so it's definitely a challenge and not always even possible to sit down for a meal together. But, we do aim for it as much as we can because the benefits really are worth it. It's a time of coming together and getting closer to the people most important in our lives. We are teaching our kids how important it is to pause from technology and schedules; that being present for a meal with our family is a top priority.
One idea I heard recently is to try dinner by candlelight, even with littles. It can help everyone feel more calm and make the atmosphere more special. There are so many ways to make dinner fun and memorable, and I want to share with you some conversation starter ideas and also a few fun, easy games to bring out every now and then. I hope these help motivate you to continue with or start up a routine that includes a meal together as a family.
Comments