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Make Mealtime a Family Affair

More than food and fun is served up in American kitchens. Meal time has always been a time for families to talk about their day and enjoy their time together, but it's also a great time to teach children skills they will need, like cooking, setting the table and proper etiquette.

Add a Dash of Creativity

Involving the whole family in mealtime preparations can be a rewarding experience for everyone. And with just a little planning and creativity, family mealtime can become one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• Depending on age and interest, kids can be a big help with preparing and serving meals. They are also more likely to try new foods that they've helped to prepare. Add some menu items that will give them the chance to help.
• Nothing eases the stress of dinnertime like having something cooked and waiting when you get home. Unearth the slow cooker or double recipes and freeze. You can even throw extras - like chicken, pork tenderloin, and bratwurst - on the grill and freeze.
• Make mealtimes fun and interesting. Create a "theme" dinner, let the kids make simple decorations, have a backyard picnic, or celebrate small successes. Even easy ideas like these can be the beginning of important mealtime traditions and rituals.