Whether you’re looking after your own children or caring for someone else’s, taking care of children can be challenging. This is especially true when it comes to mealtimes. In fact, many parents and carers say that mealtimes are one of the most challenging times of the day. This is because they may be looking after a child who is a picky eater, or they may struggle to get their child to sit down for long enough to enjoy their food.
Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do to make mealtimes with kids more enjoyable. If you want to know how to make your family mealtimes more enjoyable, keep reading below. We’ve made a list of some of our top tips to help you:
Routine is Key
The first and possibly most important tip we can give you is to have a routine. Research shows that children respond much better when they know what will happen and when it will occur. So, draw up a timetable of events for your children. A simple routine could look something like this:
- 7 am – wake up
- 30 am – breakfast
- 8 am – get ready for the day (get dressed, wash face, brush teeth etc.)
- 30 am – leave for school
- 3 pm – after school, get changed out of uniform
- 30 pm – playtime or homework time
- 5 pm – dinner time
- 30 pm – playtime
- 6 pm – bath time
- 30 pm – quiet time (reading a book, colouring etc.)
- 7 pm – bedtime
Eat as a Family
A gret way to teach children to eat nicely at mealtimes is to eat together as often as possible. Children learn from adults. So, sit at the table, and set a good example of how to behave. If you don’t have a big enough table for everyone to sit around, it’s time to look for a new one. Check out this selection of kitchen or dining room tables for inspiration.
Talk About Your Day
To make mealtimes more relaxed and enjoyable, have a conversation with your children about their day or something they enjoy. This will instantly make the atmosphere feel more pleasant for you all.
Offer a Variety of Food
Sometimes children aren’t agreeable to mealtimes as they don’t like the thought of trying new foods. This can lead to arguments between the parents/carers and the child. If your child doesn’t like trying new food, consider putting a variety of food on their plate. For example, offer them food you know they will eat, alongside food you would like them to try. While they may not try this food on the first occasion, if you continue to offer it, there’s a high chance they’ll try it eventually. If they do, offer them lots of praise.
Lots of families find mealtimes difficult. Thankfully, the good news is that you can do many simple things to make your meal times happier. If your family meal times are stressful, try some of the tips listed above.
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