When the Christmas holidays come there will always be a moment dinner or food where we get together with the whole family. As it is a special lunch or dinner, it is normal that you like that all your loved ones are at the table enjoying the food and above all, enjoying the company of everyone. But, keeping children around the table is no easy task.
Family time is very important throughout the year, but especially also during Christmas lunches and dinners, which we usually share a table with those we miss so much during the rest of the year. You have to take care of quality family time during the holidays.
During the rest of the year, families are usually quite overwhelmed with tight schedules due to work, extracurricular activities, lack of time in general ... For this reason, for many families the quality time is minimal because we are too busy, all of us. Although many people regret this and that is why they seek time with their loved ones, we live in a world of comfort and everything that forces us to move from the site is difficult for us to do. As a result, we don't see our loved ones as much as we would like and we struggle to spend quality family time.
Eat or dine together on a regular basis
There is research showing that families who eat together benefit in many ways and this should be noted at Christmas lunch or dinner. Sitting down to share meals increases communication and strengthens people's relationships. Children who regularly enjoy family meals around the table will do better in school and they will tend to make better decisions, even when under peer pressure. These habits will be noticeable around the Christmas table, so it is important that if you want your children to enjoy family meals around the family, you get them used to eating together every day, even if it is only at lunch or dinner. Dinner. Prioritize that family time over anything else.
Also, if you really try to get your children to eat as a family, they will also have better nutritional habits as they grow, both in adolescence and in adult life. But of course, there may be a problem. If you eat on the couch or each one by their side for months or even years, you may not know how to make this habit become a reality, not only on Christmas day, but also during the rest of the year.
Do not miss the advice that we give you below to be able to achieve it. Remember that these are tips that you not only have to use on Christmas Day, but you should do it every day so that it really becomes a habit.
Let them decide
To keep your children motivated at dinner or lunch, allow them to choose what to eat or dinner at least once or twice a week. At Christmas it does not have to be different, it allows them to choose the food or dessert so that they feel included and also feel that they are part of the decisions as important as it is, choosing the menu.
All this will make them feel that they have control and a great responsibility, something that will add to your enthusiasm and desire to participate.
Create themed days
So that your children feel that eating as a family is something very interesting, you can create themed days. This idea is also ideal for the days before Christmas, because this way they can feel motivated to stay at the table the entire time the meal lasts.
Believe it or not, children need structures and routines to feel safe and confident, and if for example Tuesdays are 'Pizza Tuesdays', they will know that that day is Pizza Day and it will provide them with security and excitement. In this sense, you can create a tradition at Christmas lunch or dinner And that every year there is something like it, such as a prawn cocktail, a meatloaf, etc.
Give them responsibilities
When it comes to cooking, your children don't have enough in the kitchen ... It doesn't matter how old they are. Everyone can have a place in the kitchen and your children will feel satisfied and much more motivated if you give them responsibilities in the kitchen. It can be setting the table, loading the dishwasher, preparing the plate with the mantecados ... Everyone can do something.
To give your children responsibilities, just think about how old they are and then prepare what will be the responsibilities that you will give each of them. Your children need structure, but also responsibilities.
Have a plan
Having things organized is important so that everything goes well or if it does not go well, at least knowing in which direction it is better to go. When children are hungry they should eat and eat nothing less than as a family. You can choose recipes to make that are not too complicated and use if necessary a kitchen tool that makes your life easier, such as a kitchen robot.
If you think that the food may take longer than necessary, one way to keep the family around the table is to put something to eat like some entrees. Some pitted olives, chopped tomato ... These are good examples of starters to wait for the main course.
Be optimistic and have a good attitude
What is really important to keep your children around the table at dinner or Christmas lunch, and in all the rest, is above all your attitude and the atmosphere you create. For example, you can put music in the background, have a lively conversation or play verbal games to enjoy a good atmosphere of family lunch or dinner.
When you eat and less in the Christmas meal is not the time to scold by the notes or cluttered rooms. It is the time to be with the family and enjoy food together. If you have to scold about something, pick another time, but do not break the bond around the table to eat all together.