Why is family mealtime important?  Sharing foods in a pleasant environment is a social activity that is healthy for families in so many ways.  Everyone benefits from family mealtime:

1.      Kids become more adventuresome eaters
2.      Families communicate better
3.      Family traditions are created
4.      Life skills are taught

Here are some ways that may help you make mealtime work for you.

• Try being creative about where you eat together.  Maybe it’s at the park or just on a blanket in your back yard.
• Start sharing the responsibilities of shopping, preparing, serving, and cleaning up. Everyone can take turns doing different things that are age appropriate.
• Plan simple and quick meals; save the gourmet stuff for weekends.
• Mealtime is a perfect time to practice social skills and to expose children to a variety of new foods.
• Be a good role model with your conversation and with what you put on your plate
• Remember the movie Legally Blonde and her cup of good thoughts try placing a cup in the center of the table.  Have everyone fill out slips of paper with either ideas to talk about or with just nice compliments.

It’s important to remember that adults are responsible for deciding what foods are purchased, the variety of menu choices, and the time schedule.  They create the mealtime environment.  Adults also influence children’s food choices, make new foods easy to try, and help children develop healthy attitudes toward food.  Positive attitudes about a variety of food and the mealtime experience have a big impact on children.  Do not force your child to eat.  If you’re having serious problems, seek help.  There are some super RDs in your area that may be able to work with them.

Children are responsible for deciding whether to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat.  It is important to trust the decisions your child makes.  As children grow older, parents can allow them more decision-making power and self-accountability at mealtime.

Please remember that in this age where everything moves so quickly, including the speed at which your children grow up!  Take time to slow down to savor the food and the time you spend with your family.