Being the Family Manager of your home means you have a lot of area to cover and control. I believe the Food Department is one of the top priorities for our family, and I am sure your family would agree (at least your kids and especially if you have teenage boys!) I know for busy moms, it is maybe the only time you can sit down.
With summer comes some challenges with meal preparation, especially with kids home all day. It adds a different dynamic in the Food Department. So as we venture into a new season with meals in our homes I have a few points I thought might be helpful to share.
- Your entire day runs more smoothly when you know what’s on the menu!
You can look at this primarily for dinner plans, but with kids home during the day you really need to be on top of lunch preparation too. Making sure there is a plan, that everyone knows what that plan is and effectively getting through that plan is key. I have found having sandwich supplies is the best approach to keeping my kids happy. When we aren’t planning to sit down together for lunch, then they can make their own and be on their way. For dinner, I have to know what is on the menu early in the day. So I take the time to plan ahead and make a menu for the week. I have been having the help of Emealz for sometime and I love it. I don’t have to think about it much, just take the grocery list they create for me to the store and I am good to go.
- What your family eats and drinks greatly influences their health
Have you been able to see a difference in your children and their behavior when you have changed the menu? When you have different snacks available does their energy level drop? Often times this gets missed by so many moms, they just buy what everyone else is buying with out much thought. I would highly suggest you take the time to buy healthy, nutritious food that everyone enjoys. This time of year at our house we are stocked with fresh fruits and veggies. You might say, “My kids don’t eat fruits and veggies.” Well, I wonder if they would if that was all they had to choose from? Buy some unusual fruits, things you don’t normally buy. Let them experiment, or go pick fresh fruit as a family outing. You might be amazed at what changes occur if you limit their choices.
- Food and Teamwork go together – eating and cooking together is relational
Summer is often the perfect time to slow things down a bit and let the kids into the kitchen to help. Let them share in the shopping, picking recipes and preparation. You can have a different child help each night of the week and make that “your time” together. I have really enjoyed seeing my kids develop skills in the kitchen over the years, plus we have had some fun conversations that might not have happened otherwise.
- There is more to eating than good food
Yes, the food is important, but I also feel the ambience is just as important. I know even if I am serving Hamburger Helper (yes, I still do serve that on occasion!) on a nicely set table with cloth napkins on a candle lit table it certainly tastes better. Take some care in setting the table with nice things you already have, making it special. I have let my kids share in this responsibility and it works especially well in the summer – there are fresh flowers in the yard to use, or even eating outdoors can make the dinner hour special. What can you do to make your time together as a family something special?
