I am a parent just like you. I have two ever-hungry sons, and for the last 8 years, I've been raising them pretty much on my own. You could say it's been a challenge.
All parents face challenges, of course. Sometimes it seems like dinner time is the hardest one.
If your mealtime involves such unpleasant aspects as:
•The same dishes week in and week out
•Kids who won't eat vegetables save tomato sauce, carrot sticks and corn on the cob
•Kids who can't be pried away from the TV to the dinner table
•Kids who greet your 'new dish' with lots of pushing it around the plate
. . . then this is the column for you. Together we'll transform your family's dinner hour from one of disharmony and parental slavery, to one that is delicious, healthful and harmonious in body, mind and spirit.
I remember when I accidentally discovered the key to changing dinner time. My son was a toddler glued to my hip, and cooking was almost impossible. One day, in an effort to keep him occupied, I thrust some basil into his hands and asked him to pick off the leaves for me. Not only was he quiet for about 10 minutes, he was having fun.
When his older brother saw how much fun the youngest and I were having, he wanted to get in on the action, and I found that as I gave my sons meaningful jobs in the kitchen, their interest in trying new things really took off. In fact, our daily dinner time became so valuable that I wrote a book to inspire other parents to make the same kind of connection with their children.
To help you begin making dinner time better, I offer my Family Cooking Mantra for parents cooking with their kids:
•Don't worry about the mess
•Don't worry about how long it will take to cook
•Have fun in the process and don't focus on the result
Anyone committed to making mealtime their family time will have some fears, doubts and trepidations. That's normal. Because I have experience in teaching hundreds of families my tried and true techniques to make this happen, I want FamilyFun readers to be able to benefit from this experience. I can't be in your kitchen, but I can help you!
