Whether it’s dinnertime, homework time or family game night, time spent around at the table with family helps establish life-long healthy habits, in terms of both nutrition and lifestyle. I know in my house we have some great conversations about our plans for the day at breakfast.
We then talk again at dinner time. We ask the kids about their day. Family dinners usually provide the most available, face to face, daily family time. The average time spent in daily, exclusive, parent/child conversation is 14.5 minutes. Studies have also shown that shared family dinners provide the most significant parent/child interactions, leading to improved language development and reading skills, socialization, identity, self-esteem, a sense of belonging, security, etc. Family dinners have even more impact than playing with or reading to children. Spending time with your children at dinner also models good eating habits. I know if I eat healthier and my kids see it, they do too. There are ways to do this without sacrificing what little free time you have. Here are a few suggestions:
- The slow cooker is your friend. Just fill it in the morning and you’ll have a great dinner when you get home in the evening!
- Prep on the weekends! I cook up a bunch of chicken, so I’ll have it all week for salads for myself.
- Have your groceries delivered to you! I use Peapod here in Chicago, but I am sure there is a service in your area. You can save yourself a grocery shopping trip. The added bonus is that I actual do less impulse shopping when I am grocery shopping online, so I spend less money!
- Have family game night involved exercise. My kids love playing the dancing games, and I love that I can get a sweat going! Cardio, here I come!
- Make sure you eat breakfast. It will give you the energy you need to get through a crazy long busy day!
We all have crazy, busy lives. It is hard to sometimes slow down. However, connecting with our children at least once a day is a must for everyone’s well being. Since this is so important, I have arranged for two of my lucky readers to receive a gift card worth the amount of a free month’s supply of milk (valued at $18 per month)! Here’s what you need to do:
Free Month’s Supply of Milk Giveaway!
How do you provide a healthy lifestyle for your family?
I remember dinnertime conversations as quite hard in my family of origin. I mean, we did talk over our days, but a lot of the time at least one of us (usually me) ended up not having had a good day and dinner ended in tears. I never ate breakfast growing up. Thankfully I’ve changed at least that habit.
Oh yes, I always make crock pot dinners on busy school nights. It is a definitely life saver.
I love all of these ideas. I love to cook with a crock pot, because it gives me more time to hang out with the family. I’d much rather be relaxing with them than be in the kitchen.
We always sit down for dinner and talk. I think it is very important that family time does not include TV or iPads. Kids need that time to make sure they are social more than social networks!
I try to provide a healthy lifestyle with home cooked meals.
Love your tips! I do enjoy my slow cooker and I need to get it out again, and start putting together some good recipes. One of my favorite is a nice vegetable soup with lots of fresh veggies and tomatoes.
We are eating mostly whole foods cooked at home and making sure we stay active. We are mostly a pretty healthy bunch, and I’d like to stay that way!
Home cooked meals are the best!! Love having family dinners every night 🙂
Crockpot dishes are the best. We also have a family game night and family movie night every week.
I scared of the crockpot. I have one but I’m worried it’ll burn down my house! Lol. I’ve got a good system for making wholesome meals quickly after work though. 🙂
These are some really good ideas. I like having a designated family game night that we can all look forward to.
I always do my best to make sure my family is being healthy! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I just startd using a crock pot that a friend gave me last year! I love to cook so it’s almost difficult for me to throw everything in there and not be part of the ‘process!’ Also, I find foods to be less flavourful for some reason…I like to season during the cooking process, step by step. On that note, it is a life-save because it sames so much time and stress!!
I need to start food prepping again!! I do so much better when I plan my week out!!
We ask our kids to share their favorite part of the day to get the conversation started at dinner…. if we forget the kids tend to remind us!
Milk is definitely a great start and part of a well-balanced diet! 🙂
We use a Crockpot alot in the cooler months. That really frees up more time in the evenings for family time, vs. me spending forever in the kitchen prepping and cooking a meal.
I love making home cooked meals! I really need to invest in a crockpot though lol
Excellent tips to make your family healthier. I always try to go on walks/jogs with my 4 year old since he has sensory needs for movement.
I use my slow cooker a few times a week. It is a great way to save time and have a delicious meal ready when everyone gets home.
I’m not a fan of fast food restaurants at all, that’s why I prepare home-cooked meals most of the time. We do have easy dinner nights, and we usually have pizza.
We regularly take the kids outside to get exercise. We also try to choose great food choices for meals and snacks.
Omg loving this! Swear crock pots are the best thing ever invented! Perfect for all of us busy moms
Hubby is all about a healthy lifestyle. We trying to teach our daughter about the benefits of eating good food, she is such a picky eater.
We don’t talk at dinner time because we don’t sit and eat together often. We do talk to the kids one on one a lot. Every day I ask about their day when I get home. I make them tell me something even if they don’t want. That usually gets the convo rolling. I know I will treasure those simple moments for years to come.
This is one reason why I only want one child. I hate the feeling that I have when I am running from one place to the next! Even when we have busy days, I am still right there with my girl so I dont have to feel so bad. We are always together for dinner which is super important.
the pre-prep is so crucial… in addition to my slow cooker being my best friend, so is my pressure cooker!
Loving your tips! And yes to no matter how busy our day may get it is important to take time to sit down with the kids, with the whole family.
Great tips! I try and provide it by giving my kids a healthy balanced breakfast before they head out the door and with exercise. They have to go out and play even during the winter time. 🙂
These are excellent tips and suggestions. Eating breakfast is huge for me. Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water too.
The slow cooker is my go to appliance that is used most in our house. It is perfect for year round cooking. Use it every change you get!!
What a great giveaway! We drink a lot of milk here. Thanks for sharing.
I provide a healthy lifestyle for my family by reading the ingredient labels on foods that I buy to make sure they get enough fiber and protein in their diet. I also cook healthier meals from scratch.
Fabulous tips for making life easier and saving time. I have never thought about having groceries delivered to me, this would be a life saver in itself!
Wonderful tips! I always enjoying fixing slow cooked meals in my slow cooker, especially during the cooler seasons.
We were just talking to our doctor about how important it is to eat together as a family. I cook a lot with our slow cooker.
What an awesome giveaway! We eat together as a family every day.
Great suggestions! I love my slow cooker but I definitely need to use it more often!
Thank you for your awesome suggestions/reminders! I also like the giveaway, that helps support your message, love it!
We try to always eat dinner together as a family. Having my son sit at the table with us while eating is a good way to find out how his day went and hear all about his friends. We also do alot of outdoor activities together like fishing, hunting, and hiking.
I always provide balanced meals, and am sure to keep fruit and veggies within their reach in the refrigerator.
I cook at home and avoid processed foods.
We always make sure to have plenty of bottled water so we can stay hydrated.
We eat well balanced meals and spend a lot of time outside.
I encourage my husband to take nightly walks with me.
My new years resolution this year was to learn to cook healthier for my family. I still have a long ways to go…but have come so far. Cooking healthier and getting daily exercise!
I make sure to feed my kids real food, no processed items.
great tips!! we love to use our crock pot and we love to cook together making memories
I try to teach them how to make healthy choices in food and activity.
Our meals and snacks are filled with fresh product from the local farmer’smarket
I TRY TO MAKE BALANCED MEALS, NOT TOO MANY SWEETS 🙂
By staying active and trying to eat healthier.
I provide a healthy lifestyle for my family by providing homemade well rounded meals and trying to exercise on a regular basis together.
I encourage my family to get active.