I’m guessing if you’re reading this article, you’re like the rest of us, and need tips on how to eat together as a family. With all of the wonderful opportunities and activities available to our families today, we may know the importance of family time but we aren’t always sure how to find it. Here are five simple principles to consider when prioritizing family meal times with Junction City KS Self Storage.
Don’t be tied down to dinner
So many of the articles you read or images you see paint a picture of a family sitting down to a warm dinner after school and work, but the truth is, sometimes dinner is just not the best meal for a family to enjoy together. What about breakfast? Or a before-bed snack? The point is not the time of day–the point is that you use the time intentionally, leveraging food as a means to reach your family’s hearts. Think warm cinnamon rolls in the morning or a late-night bowl of cereal at the counter.
Put the electronics away
Don’t think you have to move to the boonies to get family time, but some boundaries with the distractions still need to happen. Turn off the TV, put down the tablet, turn the phone to silent, and just spend 45 minutes eating together. You can reassure your kids that their “snaps” will STILL be there in an hour!
Use the time intentionally
Just like you wouldn’t walk into a work meeting that you’re leading without having spent some time thinking about what you need to say, don’t come to that family meal without thinking through some things to help the time be intentional! Work through some “getting to know you” questions together, read aloud from a book, or ask everyone to share one interesting fact about their day. The truth is, it may feel corny at first, but the more you practice, the better your family will get at sharing their thoughts with each other.
Don’t make it about the food
This kind of goes along with number one, but if the chef is stressed and anxious about the overdone meat or the huge pile of dishes in the kitchen, no one is going to feel free to enjoy the time. Make a sheet pan meal, or even cheese and crackers! Some families with young children may have popcorn and smoothies for dinner every once in a while! Figure out ways to meal prep or clean as you go so that the meal can be less stress and more rest.
Set little goals for family meal time and grow from there
All this sounds great in writing, but we all know that life is not quite so idyllic. We have terse teenagers, unpredictable schedules, and busy days which sabotage our best family time attempts. Try to set a goal for just ONE family meal a week—make it a habit! Soon, that will feel natural, and you can add another one. After all, isn’t one hour of food and family a week better than none at all? Each time it happens is great and sometimes it just takes marking an actual day on our calendar to start making a desire a habit.
Self Assured Storage is here to support you in all things family–so when that big move comes up, you’re ready to remodel the kitchen, or you just want to clear away some of the extra furniture and possessions, give us a call! Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you in all your organization and storage goals!
