Ways To Bring Your Family Back To the Dinner Table

Do you struggle to get your entire family to sit down for dinner? Maybe your family prefers to eat in front of the TV. Or with busy schedules there’s always someone missing. Are you sick of your dining room table collecting dust? Bring your family back to the dinner table. Family time encourages kids to communicate and form healthy bonds that last.

Put Dinner on a Schedule

Does your family give you the excuses that they’re missing mealtimes because they’re busy with something else? Schedule a sit-down dinner and get your family to stick to it. Have everyone schedule planned family dinners in their phones and planners. Then write it on the family calendar for everyone to see.

Start With One Day Each Week

If your family is busy and seriously can’t keep to a schedule, start by having dinner with them once each week. Choose a day when everyone is regularly available during dinnertime and make that your weekly family meal. Since you are only having one meal together as a family, make it count. Is your dining room an inviting place to gather? Maybe it’s time to update your space. Inspect your dining table and chairs for signs you need new dining room furniture. Take time to set the table and decorate with a fun centerpiece or flowers so family meals feel special.

Pro Tip: Make sure every family member engages in conversation at mealtime by making the dinner table a no-phone and drama-free zone.

Take Turns Choosing Meals

Let everyone in your house have a say in the weekly meal plan. Your family will be much more interested in dinnertime if they get to choose what they eat. Kids especially will be more excited about dinner if they get to enjoy their favorite foods.

Pro Tip: If you have a picky eater in the house, make sure you accommodate them so they don’t feel left out at mealtime. It’s important that everyone has something to eat at the dinner table.

Get Everyone Involved in Meal Prep

Getting your family involved in the cooking and meal prep process encourages them to sit down and have a meal with you. By helping out they’ll be more excited to eat what is prepared. And, they’ll likely get hungry if they smell the food cooking. You can assign roles to each member of your family at mealtime to help with the process. Let the kids help gather the ingredients, assist with cooking, and set the table. Create a fun atmosphere so meal prep doesn’t feel like a “task.”

Host Theme Nights

Make mealtime fun with festive meals! Create atmosphere. You can choose any theme you and your family like. Have breakfast for dinner. Host a Mexican or Chinese dinner. Or plan a game food night or carnival food night. Play fun music. Figure out what interests excite your family and bring them back to the dinner table with a corresponding theme.

Getting your family back to the dinner table is easier said than done. Still, eating at the dinner table is the ultimate way to connect with your family. Once eating together becomes an enjoyable bonding event, you may find everyone will want dinner together every night.