Making Mealtimes Less Stressful

By Elizabeth Hurchalla

When you arrive home after a long workday, your mind is on your family...and that stack of bills, pile of laundry, and list of phone calls to return. But dinner? It's tough to imagine how you're going to make this meal happen at all, let alone making it healthy, tasty -- and maybe even fun. But believe it or not, you can. Here's how:

Get the kids in on the action
"Parents often park their children in front of the TV, then rush around making supper. Why not get the kids to help?" asks Miriam Weinstein, author of The Surprising Power of Family Meals: How Eating Together Makes Us Smarter, Stronger, Healthier, and Happier (Steerforth Press). "Making kids part of the effort gets them invested in what you're cooking together, so they're less likely to complain about it later."

July Smith, a mother of three toddlers, agrees. "I've found the best way to get my children to eat what I make is to have them help me. They love to help me get ingredients out and pour them into bowls or pans. They're so proud of themselves for helping Mommy cook -- and they're better eaters, too!"

Have your tots put napkins out, wash veggies, tear lettuce for a salad -- anything to get them involved. Along the way, they're learning valuable lessons, including how to work as part of a team, how to follow directions, and basic cooking and math skills.

Get ready, get set
"To make fast, enjoyable meals each day that are still healthy," explains Missy Bay, a single mom of a six-year-old, "you have to spend a little extra time on the prep work." For starters, buy extra of things you use often so you always have staples on hand (and won't need to shop as often). Rather than making just one meal at a time, try doubling recipes when you cook and freeze whatever you don't use for a later dinner that can be reheated easily.

Missy also suggests utilizing slow-cooking tools like a crock-pot and a roasting pan. That way, all you have to do is spend 10 minutes cutting things up and throwing them in the pot or pan. Use the extra minutes to sift through your mail, check your child's homework, or return phone calls or emails.

Commit to the ritual
As the saying goes, the family that eats together, stays together. Family dinnertime has been found to promote better health and discourage obesity and encourages children to try new foods. This meal also helps kids learn good manner and find out more about their family history and beliefs. In the end, it brings an emotional connection to the rest of the family. So turn off the TV. Set the table. Then sit down and ask your kids about their days. Tell them about what you were like when you were young. Talk about anything -- the important thing is that you're sitting across from each other and enjoying each other's time.

"Remember that eating together is a gift you give yourself and your family," concludes Weinstein. "It doesn't matter if the food is perfect -- just that you enjoy it together. Then mealtime becomes a chance to feel good about your family instead of just one more chore."

Elizabeth Hurchalla is a writer in Venice, California, who got her love of cooking straight from her mom.