| Everyone's talking about family meals these days. | | | | 3. Make the table beautiful. |
| News stories show how busy families are making | | | | Have flowers on the table or, if the kids are old |
| a commitment to increase the number of meals | | | | enough to follow safety rules, light candles (never |
| they eat together each week. Experts are | | | | leave lit candles unattended, and have a pitcher of |
| promoting family meals as a way to fight | | | | water handy in case of any emergency). As an |
| childhood obesity and boost student achievement. | | | | alternative, you could invite your children to take |
| But we all know that family meals can go awry. | | | | turns each week finding something beautiful to |
| Uncommunicative kids, annoyed parents or | | | | serve as a centerpiece. |
| disappointing conversations can lead to an | | | | 4. Begin the meal with a moment of gratitude and |
| unsatisfying time together. | | | | peace. |
| The good news is, some simple, positive | | | | You might keep this as a time of silence, or sing |
| strategies can make family meals a delight. Here | | | | or say a table grace. Some families join hands |
| are five hints for family meals you'll love: | | | | during this time. You can find table graces at [ |
| 1. Keep mealtimes peaceful. | | | | 5. Add a little structure for a fun and satisfying |
| Save disciplinary issues and major disagreements | | | | conversation. |
| for another time so that no one feels tense or | | | | You might ask everyone at the table to tell what |
| afraid at the table. Let your answering machine | | | | was the best thing that happened in their day. |
| take any phone calls during this time, and turn off | | | | Everyone else at the table responds with a |
| the TV. | | | | comment and a follow-up question. As an |
| 2. Use positive strategies for teaching table | | | | alternative, ask everyone at the table to share |
| manners, letting go of expectations of perfection. | | | | something new they learned during the day. |
| Here are a few ideas: | | | | Or, you can allow family members to choose |
| • Model the table manners you want your | | | | from a basket of conversation-starter cards. A |
| children to use. | | | | variety of commercially produced cards are |
| • Make sure that children understand that | | | | available at (do a search on "conversation starter |
| using kind words is the most important table | | | | cards"). |
| manner of all. | | | | You can also make your own |
| • Use friendly reminders at the beginning of | | | | conversation-starter cards. Ask such questions as: |
| the meal and as needed during the meal. Or, if | | | | What's the best meal you ever had, and why? If |
| one child is forgetting what to do, praise someone | | | | you ruled the world, what's the first thing you |
| at the table who is behaving correctly. For | | | | would do? When did you have the most fun, and |
| example, a dad could say, "Mom, you're sitting up | | | | why? |
| straight with both feet on the floor. Thank you!" | | | | With these simple steps, you'll be well on your |
| It's likely that the kids will take the hint. Thank | | | | way to family meals that you and your children |
| them when they self-correct. | | | | will remember fondly. |