10 ways to create a positive family meal time

Are you looking to create a positive family meal time?
 
Creating a mealtime ritual is one way to help a family bond and bank some family social capital.  
 
But like many things it sounds simple but can prove so challenging.  How does your mealtime look?  Depending on the ages and stages of your family I am guessing dinner may be anywhere between 5pm and 8pm (or even later) and may be done in split shifts.  One of my biggest challenges is that I tend to spread everything over the dining table throughout the day……  And then it's deciding what to cook that most people will eat....
 
Here are 10 things that may help you create a more positive family meal time.  Take what suits you and your family and leave the rest.

1. Clear and set the table.  Maybe even a candle, a floor, good crockery and cutlery (because seriously what are you saving it for?)
2. Everyone who is home to come and sit at the table. The YouTube live video, homework, group chat, etc can wait.
3. Make the dining room table device free.  Maybe having some background music or a show on (but not the news (or program where there may be breaking news) in the background which gives the family something to talk about or focus on instead of each other.
4. Serve something fresh, that looks (actually is) a vegetable, to remind us that all our food originally comes from the ground and nature.
5. Take a few deep breaths before sitting down, and if your children are still at the age where they think whatever you say is wonderful, encourage them to take a few breaths when they sit down at the table as well.
6. Give thanks for the food, for the ones who prepared it, harvested it, toiled the earth to give you nourishment.
7. Eat mindfully.  Savour, taste, smell, experience the food, enjoy.
8. Those who are the table give thanks for something that happened today.  It’s ok to start sharing something crappy if that reflects the day, but follow it up with something to be grateful for.  Gratitude is intertwined with happiness.
9. Everyone help clear and do the dishes (but if you want the one/s who prepared the meal to have an extra rest, that’s OK too).
10. Rest afterwards.  Take a moment after eating before rushing back to that YouTube live, homework, group chat, etc…

 
This is practical mindfulness.  Remember,  you don’t need to do it all.  

Choose one and see how it goes.  
 
For other tips and strategies on incorporating practical mindfulness, follow Positive Young Minds and Positive Psychology for Life.  Want to dive deeper into practical wellbeing?  Have a look at our supported online program at https://www.positiveyoungminds.com.au/getting-started-with-self-care.html.