Community Corner
The Family Dinner
Join the discussion! This week, southbay mom Dana Tomlinson talks about creating family unity amid demanding family schedules. Dads, grandparents, expecting parents, and even people with no kids are encouraged to comment on Moms Talk. We'll have a new top
My girls are old enough now that they are both driving. The oldest is at SDSU, the youngest has study groups for AP tests, swim practice, friends, and homework. My husband has his job, softball, and working a side job. I’ve lost count of how many responsibilities I have!
So, how on earth do we connect – all in the same place at the same time? Three words: the family dinner.
Yeah, I know you’re thinking, “Easier said than done.” I was just talking about this with another busy career woman/mom the other day, and she swears by the crock pot!
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It’s amazing how many full meals can be created in a crock pot, and once you get a few recipes down, almost anyone over the age of 12 in the family can get them going, which spreads out the responsibilities in a busy household. Add bread and drinks and you’ve got a meal.
Next up is the scheduling. What has worked for us is a short family meeting every Sunday to go over everyone’s schedules for the week. This doesn’t need to take more than a few minutes in between sports, TV, and homework.
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A master calendar helps to decide when everyone can be at the table at once – to check in on how and what everyone is doing, for that connection that is so necessary to a family’s cohesion.
For further pondering: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18753715
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