Eat Better, Eat Together from WSU Nutrition Education
Communicate More
OMG! It was a HUGE success!!
We tried a family meal tonight using some of the principles Drew Betz & Shirley Broughton from WSU Extension presented at the Northwest Parenting & Family Education Conference Mary and I attended this week.
I know what you thinking. Yes, but that was only one night, one dinner. But it was one dinner when my son sat at the other end of the table from me, and my husband sat to the left. It was one night when I took a chair different from my usual "spot" (as recommended by Drew & Shirley) -- one that faced my son directly.
Usually my husband Scott and I sit opposite each other and my son AJ sits at the head. And usually my husband directs all his conversation towards me. Tonight it was different. By sitting in a new spot, I forced my husband to look both at me and at our son when talking.
Immediately AJC was more engaged. Just a simple shift of a seat made a world of difference!
What we had for dinner was almost irrelevant. Yes, we ate a healthy meal. When I take a few minutes to prepare dinner (not often I must admit) it usually is a VERY healthy meal.
What was different was the extra time we spent talking. Maybe it took an extra 10 minutes for dinner tonight. Really, that's all. And when we all left the table, we left with smiles on our faces.
For other great tips for Quality Family Meals, check out the Eat Better, Eat Together website.
Too busy for family meals? I hear you! We didn't eat until almost 8 p.m. tonight but it was worth it.
Best advice from Drew & Shirley: Just sit down & eat together. Healthy food is great. Frozen pizza is fine.
Photo by Mary Pohlmann
