Kid Cuisine
Kid ZoneParent's Corner Tell us what you think!





Make Mealtime Family Time
It's not always easy to sit down with your family for dinner—soccer practice, jobs, and homework sometimes get in the way. But studies show that it's worth the effort. Children who eat dinner with their families have healthier diets, greater emotional stability, and better grades. Plus, sitting down to dinner together is a great way to keep the lines of communication open.

Here are a few tips for making the most of family dinners:

Establish a routine.

And stick to it. Let your family decide how many meals to share each week, and then agree to avoid other commitments and appointments on those nights.

Involve your children.

Even the smallest kids can fold napkins or put a fork by each plate. And be sure to encourage them to help clean up, as well.

Please their palates.

Try to make delicious and nutritious meals the whole family will enjoy. If you know someone might not enjoy the "main course," try to serve a popular side dish.

Eliminate distractions.

Make it a rule to leave the TV off and let the answering machine or voice mail pick up the phone.

Get the conversation started.

Think of questions to get your kids talking about their days:
  • What was the funniest thing you heard today?
  • What was the most amazing thing you learned today?

Keep it positive.

This isn't the best time to discuss issues that could turn into an argument. And remember, spills happen! So don't let a little accident spoil the mood.

Remember, family meals may be some trouble at first, but soon you'll find you won't want to give them up. Years from now, you'll be glad you didn't!