The #1 way to get your family in its back to school routine
The #1 way to get your family in its back to school routine
Summer vacation is over; the kids are headed back to school. If your home is anything like mine, the first couple weeks are crazy: struggling to figure out everyone’s new schedules, carpools, coaches, teachers, homework, and so on. This can be a potentially stressful time until your family settles into some sort of routine.
One of the best routines to smooth things over and bring everyone back together?
Regular family meals.
Don’t think of it as one more thing to add to the already too long to-do list. Instead, it is the REWARD for everyone at the end of the day. When we all finally get the chance to exhale - together.
My youngest, Amanda came home for the weekend with some friends and wanted us all to make dinner. She knew that breaking bread together would be special and that her friends would love having a home cooked meal that we all worked together to create.
Our already special evening took on a whole new quality When a Table Thyme Discussion Card was pulled out. The table of twenty-something girls and guys started sharing things they hadn’t really taken the time to think about. This exchange filled the atmosphere with emotion and laughter, creating a beautiful evening for us all.
Amanda explained to her friends that regular family dinners and conversations like this were how she grew up. Amanda and I were saddened to learn how her friends rarely had dinner with real family conversations growing up. My heart broke for one of the boys as he shared how his dinner was typically eaten in front of the TV – alone. He also shared how he is disconnected from his family today.
My daughters have been through some really tough experiences growing up but they will both tell you how important those dinnertime memories from childhood are. It was our therapy, sharing, laughing, and sometimes even crying. Those experience and memories molded who my daughters are today and who we are as a family unit. I knew I was doing more than just feeding their tummies; I was also feeding their souls.
So during this week of firsts, make family mealtimes one of the top things on your family’s priority list. Keep it simple. Get the crock-pot out or put together sandwiches - whatever you need to do to make it work. Don’t get discouraged and don’t think you have to be Martha Stewart. Your children won’t remember the meals you made for them as strongly as the connections and memories that get stamped in their hearts when your family comes together regularly for its meals.
Stay tuned for next week’s blog to learn more about turning the simple act of family meals into everyone’s most cherished family tradition.
You will learn:
- Why family meals are so important.
- Why family meals are one of the best (long term) investments you can make for your children, for your family.
- Why family meals are therapy at the end of the day.
- How to make family meals a time where everyone learns to and enjoys taking part in.
- How to make family meals YOUR reward at the end of the day.
You've got this!
Have a great week.
Michelle Weber is the owner of Family Enrichment Tools, LLC and the creator of the Family Honor Plate and Table Thyme Discussion Cards. Her passion is helping families reconnect around the family dinner table while celebrating choices and character. Start your new family traditions today.
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Michelle Weber
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