Reclaim Dinnertime
An Invitation to Reclaim Dinnertime as Quality Time
Whether you are starting a new workout regimen or organizing a carpool, it's always easier when you have some support. Planning time with your family isn't any different. There are probably plenty of parents in your own neighborhood who would like to create more family time in their homes but don't know where to begin. Author and family time expert William Doherty suggests the following tips on organizing a community group that encourage families to spend more time together:
  • Identify parents who share your interests and schedules (i.e., have the same types of jobs, work hours, children who are the same age, etc.)
  • Organize a dinner for your entire carpool
  • Host a game night for families on your block
  • Make plans to go out for dinner with some families after your child's sporting event
  • Ask your favorite local coffeehouse or restaurant to host a parents' night so you can get together to discuss great ideas for creating more family time

Convening a Community Meeting

If you bring parents together to talk about family meals, here are some tips on structuring a 90-minute meeting:

  • Introductions: Ask everyone to share the names and ages of their children followed by a brief explanation about why they came to the meeting. You go last.
  • After introducing yourself, explain why you brought everyone together.
  • Pass around and summarize the Reclaim Dinnertime as Quality Time web site material about the benefits of family meals for children and teens. Ask for reactions to the material.
  • Introduce the main discussion topic: challenges parents face in having regular, quality family meals. Note: the challenges can be specific to individual families or you may find challenges common to the community.
  • If there is time, introduce a second topic: ways in which parents have been successful in carving out quality family time. Exchanging ideas and tips can be very productive.
  • Ask if parents want to meet again to continue talking about the topic. Ask people to sign up with their contact information. Set actionable goals for attendees to accomplish prior to next meeting, for example:

    • • Commit to sharing an evening meal together as a family at least three times a week

    • Use dinner conversation starters to open dialogue at family meals

    • Establish agenda for next meeting, for example:

    • Support one another in their own families to have better meal rituals

    • Raise awareness in the community about the value of family meals