October is Eat Better, Eat Together month! Did you know that eating as a family on a regular basis has been associated with improved social skills, better eating habits, and fewer behavioral problems in children. This is something that can be difficult for many families, especially those with children in different age ranges.
Tips to help you create a routine for family dinners:
1- Identify your weaknesses- start small and do 1 family dinner a week. Identify what time frames are difficult, what days are typically over scheduled and work to avoid those pitfalls
2- Have a meal plan. Being prepared before the day of the event by making sure you have the needed groceries and already have a plan really helps to make fam night successful. You can also plan to cook a special meal that your family will love- dangle that “carrot” for your teens.
3-Set the night up for success- change the atmosphere by setting a full table, lighting candles, etc. Have a themed night. You could also prepare a fun word or question game to make it a meaningful night.
4- Routine- once you find a day and time that works, put it in the books for the next several months. Once you identify what gets your family excited about dinner night, keep making those plans. You could also involve other family members in planning.
