Inspired by the Dinnertime for small families- dinnertime for disinterested families

[Mermaid02]

I can't get anyone to sit down at the table. Not even my husband. I want nothing more than a family dinner- everyone at the table, enjoying dinner and each others company.

Any ideas how I can get the rest of the family onboard??

 

[bookgirl]

Quit cooking or shopping for food.


Tell them when they are ready to commit to one or two nights of family meals you'll start cooking again.

But if they are not interested in eating as a family, you are not interested in providing a pit stop in thier busy lives.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Go out.

We sit down to dinner together most nights, but no one is real interested, either. Dh wants the TV on, the kids eat quick so they can finish up their homework, or get ready for dance class or whatever. A couple of times a week, though, we go out, and have that nice conversation and enjoy each other's company because there are no distractions.

 

[KimR]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't see family dinnertime as an all-important thing. We are very busy, DH is rarely home during the week, and it's simply not possible to have everyone sit down at the table at the same time. Instead, our bonding time is in the evening before bedtime. The girls and I all pile into my bed, talk about our day, laugh, and goof around. It's the best part of the day.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

perhaps dinnertime is too hectic...can you do a family breakfast time?

 

[joyjoy]

This doesn't seem that hard. If you are the mom, make them.
Maybe start with once or twice a week. Let them know in advance when it will be. Tell them it's not optional.

Good luck! My family sat down to dinner every night at 6:00 and my mom and dad both worked full time. And none of that fixing your plate from pans on the stove either. My poor mother transferred all food to serving dishes to put on the table. I need to call her and thank her.

 

[Minnesota!]

This doesn't seem that hard. If you are the mom, make them.
Maybe start with once or twice a week. Let them know in advance when it will be. Tell them it's not optional.

Good luck! My family sat down to dinner every night at 6:00 and my mom and dad both worked full time. And none of that fixing your plate from pans on the stove either. My poor mother transferred all food to serving dishes to put on the table. I need to call her and thank her.

Ditto ditto ditto.

Don't make it be an option.

We sat together every night when I was growing up - both parents worked full time, bro and I were in activities, and so was my dad. Tough - family time together comes before any of that.

We all sit together now, too. It's a very important part of our day. 1/2 hour to sit and chat together. Even if its just grilled cheese and soup - everyone sits and eats. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

 

[ckay87]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't see family dinnertime as an all-important thing. We are very busy, DH is rarely home during the week, and it's simply not possible to have everyone sit down at the table at the same time. Instead, our bonding time is in the evening before bedtime. The girls and I all pile into my bed, talk about our day, laugh, and goof around. It's the best part of the day.

AND you can give them your undivided attention, not attention divided between filling drinks and clearing dishes.

 

[Saphire]

I am not sure how old your kids are, but if they are old enough to cook a simple meal, you could ask them each to prepare dinner one night a week. You can shop for the food and have it ready for them to prepare, but let them come up with an idea of what they would like to have.
I tried this approach when my kids were in their teens, not just to get them to the table but to help them appreciate what I do, and also to help them to be self sufficient in the kitchen.
Anyway, it may inspire them to want to sit down together and share the meal they just prepared. Just a thought.

 

[Mermaid02]

perhaps dinnertime is too hectic...can you do a family breakfast time?

My husband leaves the house at 5:30 in the morning so this won't work!

I am not sure how old your kids are, but if they are old enough to cook a simple meal, you could ask them each to prepare dinner one night a week. You can shop for the food and have it ready for them to prepare, but let them come up with an idea of what they would like to have.
I tried this approach when my kids were in their teens, not just to get them to the table but to help them appreciate what I do, and also to help them to be self sufficient in the kitchen.
Anyway, it may inspire them to want to sit down together and share the meal they just prepared. Just a thought.

Maybe this will help- my son is 13 (almost).
Thanks everyone!