In planning for family meals it can be great fun to get all the family together and to brainstorm each individual’s favourite foods. If it is the case that you eventually come up with 8 or 10 meal ideas then plan a rota for when those meals will be cooked.
Children love the regularity of certain meals on certain days. It fits with other structures and routines that we put in place and gives children a real sense of security and predictability (which reduces anxiety).
Once you know what will be cooked then see if you can get your children out to the shops to help you buy the food. This is a great opportunity to talk about the nutrition of different foods, the cost of different foods and to do some simple maths while comparing prices, weights, volumes and value of special offers.
Many of us balk at the thought of trying to do grocery shopping with tired or demanding children. To counteract this make sure that your children are not hungry going shopping. Depending on your preference you need to be explicit that there are either no treats on offer or that treats are only on offer for successful completion of the shopping!
Children love to help their parents when they feel it is a shared task. Even young children can help to get food ready. By pulling a chair up to the counter-top small children can be involved. Mixing, stirring, sifting, peeling, kneading, pouring and tasting, are all jobs for any age child. Be ready to assist but try to let your child do as much as possible on their own.
Generally we need patience as young fingers and hands are not as dextrous as ours and so tasks take longer and may not be achieved to our exacting standards. However, if you are mentally and physically prepared for a bit of mess then cooking together can be great fun and a wonderful learning and bonding opportunity.
If you have had the chance to eat out in restaurants then your children will know what waiters and waitresses do. By giving them an apron, a clean tea-towel and a bit of gravitas they can get a huge kick out of serving meals to their siblings.
Once setting the table and clearing up afterwards are made into communal affairs where everyone in the family has a role that fits their age and ability you will find that children grumble less and contribute more. So don’t be afraid to set chores for the children.
The greater their involvement at all stages of the meal the more likely they are to be interested and motivated during the meal. Perhaps they may become a little adventurous about new foods. At the very least they will sustain their attention to the more social aspect of the meal if they feel a little bit of ownership in what has been produced for everyone’s consumption.