In today's society of hustle and bustle and being always on the go, it
is easy to overlook family mealtimes. In the past, it was traditional
that at all three mealtimes, breakfast, lunch and dinner, the family
would all gather round the dinner table to eat. Someone - usually one of
the children - would set the table, Mom or Grandma (or both!) would
prepare a healthy, delicious meal which would be laid out on the table.
Dishes would be passed around the table, a prayer would be said, and
clean-up would take place before any children could play.
While that probably reminds you of your own childhood, how often does it
take place in your own home? Having a family mealtime can afford you
with a lot more benefits than you might think. Sure it takes longer, and
sure, everyone has to bend their ever-so-busy schedules to it, but just
imagine some of the wonderful benefits of a family mealtime!
A family mealtime can enable you to be able to teach your children how
to cook - properly! Many children today simply can't cook anything out
of a microwave, and don't know how to follow a basic recipe. Using
family mealtimes as instructional times can be a wonderful opportunity
for you to teach your children how to cook good, healthy meals. Showing
your children and grandchildren the basics, such as how to time cooking
many dishes at once, food preparation and substitutions, the mathematics
involved in cutting a recipe in half or doubling it, and many other
cooking lessons can be invaluable later in life. Passing on of family
recipes from one generation to another generation.
Having a family meal also allows you to bring your family closer
together as a family unit and to involve the entire family with an
activity all at once. In today's world, how often does your entire
family get to sit down with one another at the same time? Use this
fantastic time as a way to start conversations between members of your
family. Discuss the high points and low points of each family member's
day. Learn how your children are doing in school and extra-curricular
activities (if they are not home schooled). Most of all this provides an
environment where your family can talk to each other and listen in an
open forum. Grandparents offer discussion of history and family
traditions
This can also bring your family closer together in other ways. You can
have each family member plan one meal for the week, or have your family
plan meals together. Use this as a time to think about the nutritional
value of each meal, to incorporate all of the food groups, and to also
make sure that everyone has a chance to eat their favorite foods! The
ideas are limitless, and it will encourage an atmosphere of sharing,
kindness and caring.
Let each member of your family take part in mealtime, from setting the
table to taking turns doing the dishes afterwards. It is all about
family participation and sharing. Include every member of your family
and be sure to be absolutely firm about this aspect of your lives. Many
times schedules and appointments can interfere with family dinners, but
this is a very important part of your family life, and it should be
treated as such by all members of the family.
Meal time isn't simply the time for us to eat, it is a time for us to
come together as a family unit and to strengthen our bonds together.
Whether you can eat one meal together a day or three, it is important to
set aside at least one meal a day as a "family meal". Your family will
thank you for it!
********************
Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She
is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web
site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com. Bringing generations of Christian
Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families
together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable
advertising while balancing the work at home experience.
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