I don't know how it works in your homes, but in ours, sometimes it is hard to have the much needed "sit down to eat together" meals. We all know what we hear is the recommended family dinner time, but in all fairness, it is hard to accomplish. Whether you are a working parent or a stay at home parent, whether you have your children in all kinds of activities or just one activity, or whether you take them to school or you home school, eating together has been shown to do wonders for the family.
So, here is what I have been trying for the last several weeks with a great deal of success, just in case some of you out there are in the same boat.......it does take some planning though. On Sunday, I look in my freezer and fridge to come up with what three days of main course meals we will be having. If I don't have any meats or main courses, I go to the grocery store. If I do, I pull it out of the freezer, and plan only three days of meals. So, if I have chicken, ground beef, and roast, I google recipes for those ingredients. Some might be crock pot and some I will cook, time permitting. You do have to look at your week's calendar to decide when you need to use your crock pot and when you have time to stand in the kitchen. We eat a sit down dinner Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and you know what happens Thursday? On Thursday, we still have a sit down dinner: left over meal! In fact, it is kind of fun because everyone gets to choose what they are having from the previous three days. Someone might have liked jambalaya the best, someone roast, and someone meatloaf. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are open days. We might go out to eat, we might go to friends' houses, we might have a sandwich. Either way, no commitment there and it is relaxing; order a pizza.
I hope what we have been working on helps you to figure out a family dinner plan. I do think it is important to eat together, as do all of the studies and research, as I am sure you agree. And, while you are sitting talking to one another, you can plan your weekend. Here are a few things to do: Go to Macaroni Kid.com for a full calendar of events:
The Family Circle Cup Tennis on Daniel Island, Annie the Musical at the Charleston Music Hall, The Wiz, a play at the Dock Street, Easter Eggstravaganza at Middleton Place