We’ve already talked about why you shouldn’t distract your child with toys or gadgets during mealtimes. If the thought of a meal without your kids’ iPads has you feeling like a deer in headlights, here are three ways to get through dinner and promote a healthy mealtime atmosphere:
1. Ask about their day
Meals are the perfect time to:
- find out what’s going on in your child’s life (which can be very helpful during the teenage years)
- teach your child conversation skills (invaluable when they become dinner guests at other people’s houses or restaurants)
- show them that you listen and care about what they’re saying
You are likely to hear silence or one-word answers if you ask “yes or no” questions. Try asking open-ended questions like “What was your favorite part of today?”. Or “What was the worst thing that happened to you today?” and “Who sat next to you at lunch today?”. You can also chat about plans for the upcoming weekend. These seemingly simple questions can uncover a surprising amount about what’s important to your child right now.
2. Talk about the meal
Because we want mealtimes to be about family but also about food. So take this opportunity to spark your child’s interest in what they’re eating. Young children might like to point out different colors or shapes of the food on their plates. Discuss any items that were bought locally (at a farmer’s market, for example) or came from somewhere interesting. Engage your child: “Do you like broccoli better when I roast it like this or when it’s raw?”. Or you can ask “Are there any meals you’d like me to make this week?”
3. Play a conversation game
Younger kids love “categories-type” games like taking turns naming zoo animals or colors. As kids get older, think of more challenging categories like states or countries. These games often act as a starting point for curious kids to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation with their parents. (If your family is super-competitive, these games might get in the way of actually eating!)
Mealtimes are a fabulous time of day to enjoy quality time with your kids. Make sure your kids know that you love taking time to eat with them – and that technology or toys take a break when you eat.
If you have other ideas on how to keep children away from gadgets during mealties, please share them in the comments below!