Life today can be so hectic that it is extremely difficult to find the time to sit down and have a family meal together. With all that your family has going on each day – work, school, after school activities, and errands, scheduling a family meal may seem like an impossibility. But if you are not already aware of it, your child loves and thrives upon these daily family interactions. Children not only enjoy regular family meal times with their parents, but are also more likely to eat a healthier, balanced, and more nutritious meal.

When you really think about it, which is more important to you – that your child grows up in a healthy, loving family atmosphere or that you run that one last errand that could put off for a later time? Some of the “important “ activities that we deem necessary on a daily basis are maybe not so important after all. It is up to you to decide what is more important – that activity or spending priceless time with your family over a meal.

Then there are the situations in which those things are really necessary, and must be accomplished – this is most often the case with our jobs. If you really cannot sit down with your family every evening to have dinner, then aim for two to three nights a week. You will be surprised how much enjoyment both you and children derive from the experience.

To begin incorporating family meal time in your schedule, choose one day of the week for the family meal. A Sunday evening is normally a good place to start because you have more time to relax and all the weekend errands and chores have been completed.

However, do not do all the work yourself – this is no fun. Involve your children in every aspect of the meal. Allow them to help you plan the meal as well as prepare it. You can also let them help by setting the table and clearing the dishes afterward. Make sure that you do not allow any interruptions during meal time, such as television, phone calls, etc. If that call is really important, they will leave a message.

Use you family meal times to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Family meal times are a wonderful time for reconnecting and staying on top of the events in the lives of your children. Be sure not to rush the meal – take your time and enjoy the food and conversation. After eating, there is no immediate rush to clear the dishes, either. Allow your meal time to continue until everyone finished eating and talking.

Family meal times are a great way to show your children that you care and are interested in what is going on in their lives. It lets them know that you want to be an active part of their lives and helps them feel loved and cared for.