Back to the Dining Table (this may look a little long but keep reading....it's great!)

I have a quick question for you today…..

What is your dining table used for?
Is it he stacking ground, the laundry table, the homework table or, is it doing what it’s designed to do…. host countless dinners, surrounded by laughter (at times tears), a place for conversation and relationships to strengthen. Is the dining table the central nervous system of your family?

You see we live in a climate of busyness, everyone is busy, schedules are jammed packed, and families are coming and going. We are so busy that we don’t even get time to sit and relax. Time seems to be moving at an all time high speed, days are turning into weeks, weeks in to months and months into years.

My friends today I want to encourage you to use your dining table to it’s full potential. If you haven’t enjoyed a meal together at the family table for awhile I encourage you to dust off the table, let everyone know that dinner is at 6pm, prepare a family favourite and watch everyone enjoy each others company - you will be amazed. If this is something you do regularly keep it up and why not invite someone over and share the time together. Enjoy!

thefamilyroom top tips for the dining table:

1. Clean off the table. If it’s been used as the ‘dumping ground’ grab 1 basket/box for each person in the family and distribute everything accordingly. Give everyone 1 week to put their stuff away and if it’s not done in that time let them know that it will go in the bin.
2. Choose a night to begin your evening meals and let everyone know (make sure you check everyone’s schedules) so they can all join.
3. Decide on your menu – don’t go over board make a family favourite and keep it simple.
4. Present the food well don’t just pop a pot on the table, put some effort in (but don’t go over board). This simple act lets everyone know you care.
5. Turn the home phone, mobile phone, TV and computers OFF!
6. Bless your meal – we all hold hands whilst we give thanks.
7. Ask everyone at the table what the best thing that happened in their day was.
8. Tell a joke
9. DON’T RUSH – this is one time in the day when you’re able to come together and calm down and get to know each other better
10. Laugh lots and repeat the next night or what works with your family.

I can’t encourage this enough. Family meal times are worth fighting for,
worth organising schedules to make it work. Studies prove that families who eat together around the table (not in front of the TV or the computer) are healthier, stronger families.

Tomorrow I will post thoughts and tips for the babies/toddlers in the family, teenagers, adult children, fussy eaters, the clean up and that ever disappointing news…..I won’t be home for dinner, start without me. And, following that our ever popular familyroom meal ideas and grocery list!!!!!

You can do this……and, as always, remember to smile because everything looks better through smiling eyes.

Susan xoxo