Meals are a great opportunity to get a feel for what’s going on in school and socially with your kids. It’s important as a parent to get organized and plan ahead. Create a monthly meal chart and get everyone involved. It can be from informal meals like pizza and Chinese take out to home cooked, kid’s choice or dinner out.  But the point is you create a plan that works for you, your budget, your family lifestyle and you follow through and eat together!

Even if everyone can’t be there everyday it’s still important that whoever is home to sit down at the same time. Kids love routine and despite a teenage moan here or there, they want to be accounted for and spend time with you.

As a parent, think what time is realistic for you to get dinner together without being stressed. Get everyone involved with a job whether it’s setting the table, preparing the drinks or peeling potatoes. Preparing a family meal together gives you time to work together, talk and learn about each other.

As you do this, turn off the TV, cell phones and radio. The world will still be there in an hour and your kids will appreciate your undivided attention as they share with you what exciting happened in their day. As you sit down, here are some tips to make it even more fun:

*Take time to make the dinner table special, light a candle, uses those fancy plates and glassware you save for what? Once a year holiday?

*Create a dinner theme- Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Picnic, barbeque night.

*Go around the table and do the “high & lo” game.  High is what was the best thing that happened that day. Low is the worst part of your day.

*Talk about what you’re thankful for that day.

*Take time to say a prayer, grace or what pertains to your spiritual beliefs.

*Go around the table a talk about a favorite family memory.

*Place a jar in the middle of the table with a fun questions and everyone picks one.

*Mix it up and plan a surprise guest!

Use dinnertime as an opportunity to make a real impact in your children’s lives.

Whatever you do, your kids and you need this time to create warm memories and instill healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle for them in years to come.