Friday Faith Builder

I don’t how about your family, but mine often struggles to sit down for family dinners together. I dream of eating leisurely meals, sharing stories about the happenings of the day, and spending time laughing and enjoying each other. While that does occur once in a while, mealtime more often seems like etiquette school training combined with a hurried race to the finish line. I will say we did much better when our kids were younger (they are now 12, 13 and 14), but I was never really as good at it as I wanted to be.

 If family mealtime is your strength, keep up the amazing work! If you struggle along with me, take a look at these “Secrets to Successful Family Diners.”

1. Pray before each meal, thanking God for the food before you. 

2. Encourage your child to create menu ideas and participate in meal preparation. 

3. Turn off the TV and let your phones ring 

4. Discuss each person’s “high” and “low” points of the day. 

5. Keep conversations positive and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. 

6. After dinner, serve a healthy dessert, share in a family faith activity, or play a game so you can continue the conversation. 

 Of course, no one will be perfect, but strive to eat one more meal together than you are doing now. Pray and ask God to help you make mealtime with your family a priority. Give thanks for the precious gift of your family.