Setting Up a Meal time Routine

Meal time routines are an important part of family life. Not only is the food of the meal time important but the sharing in the activity of bringing food to the table helps each family member to realize their important role in the family unit.

Does your family have a family meal time routine?

Why not put one together today?

Start with planning your meals. Use a weekly meal planning sheet and create a plan of what will be on the menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start with planning one week at at time and work up to one month at a time.

If you have older children in the family you can prepare some of the dishes in advance so that they can contribute to the family meal by heating up the dinner or even cooking it in all themselves. Younger children can cook along with you which is another nice addition to the family meal time routine.

Next give everyone in the family a chore related to the meal. Young children can set and/or clear the table. Older children can prepare parts of the meal or wash the dishes. Giving everyone a part lets them know they are an important addition to the family meal time.

It may take some time to get into the rhythm of things but a family meal time routine will bring the family together and make meal times a pleasant bonding activity you look forward to each day.