At Craftology, we’re all about bringing people to the table and creating meaningful relationships.
And families are central to our heart.
We want those deep conversations for you as a family unit. A team. A united front that has each others’ backs.
How do you, as parents, bring everyone to the table as a daily dinnertime habit? And why is it important?
Our top 3 tips are below!
Tip 1: Block dinner for the same time every night
Kids thrive on routine.
You wanna know how those kindergarten teachers get it all done?
A schedule.
Those tiny tots know what to expect, and when it will happen.
They fall in line like a good little band of soldiers.
It will be much easier to gather everyone around the dinner table if the meal happens at roughly the same time every night.
Get out your family calendar. Decide your typical weekly schedule and choose the time that will work best across the board.
It might not work every single day, and that’s okay. Aim for 4-5 per week to start and go from there. You’ll find that after the routine gets going, everyone will start to look forward to the time together.
Tip 2: Help kids decompress by getting together as a family
Kids have big feelings, just like adults.
How you deal with emotions while they are small sets the stage for their entire lives.
No pressure, right?
The best way you can help prepare your kids for the real world is to give them an outlet to share their feelings in a safe space. Families are that safe space.
Talking through the events of their day helps them process.
They also have a chance to talk to older family members on how one of you might have handled a similar situation in the past.
Also, whatever your kid is going through — it’s the worst thing that they can imagine. Helping them gain perspective is an important part of their development.
Tip 3: Create good eating habits while sitting down to eat
Everyone wants healthy kids.
Studies show that kids who sit down for regular mealtimes at an actual table are more likely to eat healthier foods and maintain a healthier weight.
Sitting at a table (and not in front of a TV) ensures that kids are paying attention to their bodies and hunger cues.
It allows them to try new foods, eat a better variety of fruits and veggies and model the healthy behaviors they see from the adults at the table.
It’s also a great place to learn appropriate table manners and conversational skills.
Whether you make your meals from scratch or from a box, gathering the family around the table matters. Keep pushing for that sacred time together. We’re here, rooting for you along the way!