Is there a way to make dinnertime fun? This is the question that races through the mind of every homemaker at least once in a while. I can’t say that I’m an expert, but I do have some ideas that might be of use.
1. Try new recipes, and let your family judge them on a scale of one to ten. This encourages even picky eaters to at least try the dish, because they can’t cast a vote until they have tasted it. Every dish that scores over an average of eight goes in your recipe binder, and everything that falls under can go in the trash. If everyone loves it but one person, keep the recipe, and just make that one dissenter a peanut butter sandwich when you decide to make that meal again.
2. Get everyone their own dishes. I took my kids down to the thrift store and let them each choose their own cup, plate, bowl, and silverware. Sure, they don’t match, but the children enjoy eating from their own dishes, and after dinner, they can help wash up, too.
3. It’s fun to choose one child a day to be a kitchen helper. They can get things out of the cupboard and fridge, or hand you spoons. Older children can help chop or stir, and teenagers can follow recipes and take some of the burden off the preparation. Children who have a hand in the creation of the meal tend to pay more attention to eating it, and their behavior at the table is better, too. They recognize the work that went into the meal and subconsciously understand the importance of showing
respect for that work.
4. You can make dinnertime conversation more pleasant by instituting game rules, such as, “Every sentence you say has to start with the letter B.” As the family interacts together, they are concentrating on the game, and so dinnertime squabbles are reduced.
I wish we could wave magic wands and simply poof our dinnertime problems into non-existence, but sadly, that only works in the fairy tales. With creativity and willingness to try new things, however, maybe we can work a little real dinnertime magic and help reduce the stress.
Related Blogs:
Taking the Desperation Out of Dinner: Organize a Meal Plan
Why Families Should Eat Dinner Together