Parenting Corner: Family Meals

Eating together as a family, although difficult at times, has so many benefits. Along with the skill of sitting to eat a meal without getting up, there is also the benefit of conversation and togetherness. If this is not part of your family routine- it’s not too late! Even starting with one or two meals a week is a great way to encourage this great habit. We reinforce this habit here at school during lunch time, encouraging all of the children to sit at the table set with placemats, flowers, and tea light candles.

If your child has trouble staying seated to eat, try this trick that went viral on the internet recently! Lighting a candle at the beginning of the meal and explaining that while the candle is lit, everyone sits at the table to eat. When the meal is over, blow out the candle together as a family to signal it’s time to get up! Starting with 10-15 minutes at a time for the youngest children will be fine. Remember this is not about trying to get them to eat as much as possible necessarily, but really just about the mindfulness of mealtime and spending quality time together.