A family that eats together stays together. Having a family meal where all members of the family sit round a table to eat together is sadly a rapidly fading part of family life. The family meal is a rich source of emotional and intellectual stimulation that can contribute to your child’s happiness, confidence and well-being. Putting the family meal on or back on the agenda, and thereby reaping the social benefits, can be successfully achieved if you approach the matter in a systematic and proactive way. Follow the simple and yet workable tips;

1. Be determined to succeed: Once you have made up your mind to start having family meals, have sufficient determination to follow it through. Don’t allow yourself to be dissuaded by your children’s objections or the clash between your work and your partner or close family member or friend’s schedule.

2. Pick a starting date: Once you have introduced the idea of the family meal to everyone, pick a starling date, say, one week from now. Tell them all well advance that this is going to happen and ask them all to make sure that they are available. Keep on positive attitude, and work on the assumption that it will be good fun.

3. Be real: Sometimes the family meal will go well, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves, other times it will not go so well. Family meals are a great time to talk; let your youngest speak first so that she isn’t drowned out by her older siblings.

4. Encourage conversation: It will be more comfortable for everyone at the table for the full meal if they engage in lively conversation. Try to avoid arguments, fill the gaps by asking suitable questions that involve others in discussion.

5. Involve the young people: Make a point of to involve your youngest child. Avoid distractions. Your family’s focus during the meal will be stronger if their eyes don’t wander towards the television or computer screen. Switch off the television or computer, or arrange the table so that the screen isn’t in sight. Reassure them that they will cope without it for half an hour.

6. Involve Children in preparation: Where possible, try to involve your child or children in some way in preparing for the family meal. It really doesn’t matter what he or they do, as long as they are involved in the preparation; that increases their commitment to the experience.

7. Be persistent: The more you have family meals, the more your family will look on the occasion as part of the typical family routine, and the lure of competing attractions will steadily diminish.

Having family meals together is a great way to bond with each other. They provide a good level of stimulation for your child. You all keep up to date with each other’s lives. Meals involve turn-taking, sharing and listening. Tensions can be resolved during mealtimes. It is fun spending time with each other. Your children are able to talk to each other or to you. They allow your child to sharpen his communication skills.