{"id":5183,"date":"2013-09-12T15:54:21","date_gmt":"2013-09-12T15:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.speechbuddy.com\/blog\/?p=5183"},"modified":"2023-11-08T10:27:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T18:27:47","slug":"speech-buddies-parents-corner-5-twists-on-traditional-family-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.speechbuddy.com\/blog\/parents-corner\/speech-buddies-parents-corner-5-twists-on-traditional-family-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"Speech Buddies Parents\u2019 Corner \u2013 5 Twists on Traditional Family Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/a> Image Courtesy of njaes.rutgers.edu\n

Creating traditions with your kids is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting, and family meals are the perfect place to start. Even though modern family lives seem to be crowded and kids overscheduled<\/a>, there are 5 fun twists you can try with your family meals that will create new traditions and build stronger families. Family meals can even help your kids thrive during the school day \u2013 studies show<\/a> that when kids eat with their families more than 3 nights each week, only 9% of them get Cs or lower on their report cards, while 20% of those kids who get family meals less than that get Cs or lower for grades. So whether you\u2019re trying to help your academically challenged child or just ease the family\u2019s chaotic schedule, try these 5 ideas.<\/p>\n

1. Family Meals that Take You Travelling<\/h3>\n

At your next family meal, have each family member share 3 places in the world to which they would love to travel if they could. Since this probably isn\u2019t actually a possibility in the near future, let your family meals take you there instead. Each week try a new recipe that represents a specific country. You could even assign certain aspects to each child \u2013 dinner music from that country or a table setting that might be typical. If you\u2019re eating a Japanese meal maybe it\u2019s time to swap out the chairs for some floor pillows and gather around the coffee table instead and learn about Japanese table manners<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Family Meals that Share the Joy<\/h3>\n

This twist works best with kids who are preschool and older (you can help the younger kids). Assign each family member a course of the meal \u2013 maybe Dad gets the entr\u00e9e and your daughter is responsible for dessert. It doesn\u2019t matter if the food choices really fit well together \u2013 it matters more that everyone feels like they contribute and maybe the wackier the combinations \u2013 the better!<\/p>\n

3. Family Meals that Aren\u2019t About the Food<\/h3>\n

Researchers and parents know<\/a> that the food served is only half the story when it comes to why eating as a family is important. Use your family meals to get to know and appreciate everyone in the family even better with this simple dinnertime activity.<\/p>\n