Family Rules!

Do you eat with your family gathered around the table?

Eating together is not only nourishing, it's a time to talk to one another.

I know it isn't always easy to connect with all family members daily, but scheduling some family meal times can insure healthy relationships.  

In order to make it fun for everyone, here are a few rules I would suggest.

1.  Make it a good conversation.  Ask everyone how their day was, or go around asking each person to express something that they are thankful for today.  Save discipline for another time.

2.  Let everyone decide how much goes on their plate, and allow them a second portion if they are still hungry.  Everyone should be allowed to determine the amount of food they want to eat.

3.  Eat a little of everything served.  We called those itty bitty servings a "no-thank you" portion.  Everyone is encouraged to taste everything every time.  Sometimes your tastebuds change.

4.  No Clean Plates!  Let everybody feel free to taste foods without forcing them to "choke it down". Plus if everyone decides on their own portion, you can have after dinner teaching moment.

5.  Teach by example.  If your kids are young, talk about how nice it is to eat together, how delicious the food you prepared tastes, how this is their "friends/cousin/neighbors" FAVORITE meal.   It should get them to at least want to try it...

6.  Have a technology policy:  Put the phones, iPads, iPods, etc. in a basket during dinner.  First one to get theirs does the clean up.  If the meal is over before anyone reaches for their phone, share the clean up together.  

Here's wishing you happy gatherings with your families and friends!