Family Meals: When Dinner Schedules Dont Match

Mealtimes together deserve an important place in any family. Around the table, family members connect, children learn the art of conversation, and a spirit of peace and thankfulness can flourish.

But work, long commutes, sports, music and religious education can make for hectic evenings. As a result, it's sometimes impossible for the whole family to eat dinner together.

A solution: Snacktime!

You don't have to resign yourself to family members' going their own way all evening. Once everyone is home, a family snack can be a simple and effective way to connect.

Make it easy on yourself. A bowl of popcorn or a store-bought treat works fine. Brownies or cookies quickly made from a mix fill the house with an inviting aroma. During cold weather, our family enjoys sweets with a pot of peppermint or raspberry tea.

Add a bit of structure to the conversation to make sure everyone is included and peace prevails. For example, you might ask each person to name the best thing that happened in their day. Everyone else around the table then responds with a comment and a follow-up question.

You can also ask gently whether anyone has a problem that could use your help. Save disciplinary matters for another time.

If snacktime isn't right for your family, you might enjoy a different strategy. Some families go for an evening walk, gather for prayer or share a read-aloud.

The key is to set aside an pleasant, peaceful time when family members can lovingly connect.

A sweet ending to a busy day.

(c) 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC

Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC, specializes in helping women who are both professionals and parents create balance. She offers teleclasses, workshops and individual and group coaching. Norma publishes "The Balance Point," a free e-zine, every other Friday. Visit http://www.NormaSchmidt.com

---

We All Wish That Our Children Have Good Virtues, But... Are We Setting A Good Example Ourselves?

We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More

Paediatric Osteopathy

All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More

The Truth About Motherhood

What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More

Hair Care for Children

Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More

Strengths and Weaknesses

All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More

Mom, Dad and the Big Brother

Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More

Why Consistency Is The Key To Raising Well-behaved Kids

Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More

Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared?

As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents... Read More

The Classic ADHD Child Reminds Me of Tigger

ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More

My Dads Secrets

From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: How to Say NO!

Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More

Playground Pettiness

Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More

Keep the Little Ones Safe, Follow Pool Safety Guidelines

Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More

Aquini Potty Training Dolls - A Great Tool For Potty Training!

Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More

Social Engineering via Robotic Toddlers

Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More

How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?

I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More

Watering Your Young Child?s Mind

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With... Read More

Educational Toys - How Do Parents Choose The Best Toys For Their Child

The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More

Let Your Children Name the New Baby

Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More

Girls Gone Mild

Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More

Homework Help for the Attention Deficit Child

Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More

Let Kids Help

One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 6 Things to Stop Doing Right Away

1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More

Helping Your Child to Deal with Change

Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More

Parents of Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers: 7 Universal Laws

1. The Law of the BeastAs parents we need to... Read More

Visiting the Library

Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More

Trip, Trip, Trip... Here Is Your Night Visitor Again!

Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More

Book Review: The Ring Bear Depicts Turmoil of Becoming A Stepchild

In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More

Lets Pretend

Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More

Our Recommended Eating Program for ADHD

Below is a copy of our eating program for Attention... Read More

Promote Physical Fitness for Your Child

If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More

Challenges for Our Children

Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More

When Your Childs Adoption Story Changes: Nothing But the Facts or is It Nothing are the Facts?

Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know... Read More