How to have Better Conversation with your Kids at the Dinner Table
Dinner time can be such a struggle!! Being a mother of 7 kids, we have tried a lot of different things in our family. Trying to get everybody together at the same time, making it a positive experience when you're all together, and just getting the meal planned and prepped can be the hardest part. After all this work, it’s hard to have the presence of mind for decent conversation.
Without some guidance, our dinner conversation can often lead to people on their phones, squabbling siblings or lots of bathroom humor. Ugh.
One way to get the conversation going in a happy direction is to have a simple family activity for you to do during dinner. These traditions have brought our family closer and help our children feel more important and excited about our time together. They're simple and I hope they will be something your family enjoys as well. Do as much or as little with these activities. We'd love to hear how it goes for you!
Candlelight Dinner - use a box of questions: Would you Rather or some other list of questions (there are tons on Pinterest!), and go around the table answering the questions while you dine to candlelight. Whoever has the best manners gets to blow the candles out at the end!
Hold a Family Awards Dinner - Everyone loves to have a bit of prize. Watch your kids during the week and give them awards for the good deeds they are doing. For some detailed ideas go to our post here! Award printables are available in the FREEBIE Resource library titled: Family Awards Printables (with titles on them) and Family Awards templates (blank for you to fill in).
Play the Grateful Game - Expressing gratitude can turn even the gloomiest mood around. This is the simplest game. All you need is a die (you could use 2 dice if you’re really getting into it). You take turns going around the table, rolling the dice. What ever number you get, you have to say that many things you are grateful for. It seems really silly and simple, but the kids get really into it! Many times there are some pretty off the wall things said, but it has surprised me to hear the thought provoking insights some of them have. Encourage answers to be as specific as possible!
For more ideas on how to make your family dinner time even more special, check out this podcast: Easy Entertaining Tips with Mariah Leeson from Giggles Galore (Episode #35). Mariah has inspired me to take little steps to make my entertaining more pulled together. She really knows how to make her guests feel special.
For more of our home & family hacks, check out the posts below:
