Make Family Meals a Priority
Is dinner at your place more like a food-based circus than a serene gathering? If you’ve ever wondered how much broccoli can fit in a child’s nostril, or if you can survive another meal with someone chanting 'no peas, no peas,' this one’s for you. Let’s be real: family meals are less about Instagrammable quinoa and more about survival, squabbles, and maybe—just maybe—a shared giggle over spaghetti.
Kids who eat with their families get a neural buffet: better language skills, improved emotional regulation, and lower risk of anxiety and depression (probably because they’ve seen you eat salad and survive). For parents, it’s a chance to bond, de-stress, and remind yourself that you’re not alone in the war on picky eating. These shared meals literally wire kids’ brains for connection, resilience, and the occasional broccoli-induced eye roll.
How to do it
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Pick a realistic goal. Start with one or two meals a week, rather than aiming for every night—unless you enjoy disappointment.
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Keep it simple. Rotisserie chicken totally counts, and so does breakfast-for-dinner.
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Involve everyone. Even if the three-year-old’s job is just putting napkins on the floor, everyone can participate.
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Ban screens at the table. However, allow the occasional dramatic retelling of who spilled what at school.
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Laugh when things go sideways (because they will). Remember, the goal is togetherness, not gourmet perfection.
Key Tips:
- Start small and build up gradually.
- Simple meals are just as valuable as elaborate ones.
- Participation matters more than perfection.
- Focus on connection, not culinary achievement.
- Embrace the chaos and enjoy the moments together.
