ideas to make dinner time longer?

Chelsea - posted on 01/07/2010

make a salad for them to sit down at first. can you see the dining room from the kitchen? or have a bar? maybe ask them to sit in there to keep you company... or do the salad, then have a small desert..best wishes..

Rachel - posted on 01/07/2010

For us it helps not to be in a rush to do anything afterwards. I know that's not always possible. Turning off the TV has been really helpful too. I like the suggestions about playing games, or even just asking conversation starter questions and having everyone answer.
Maybe once in a while to, you could have a 3 course meal. Soup or salad, main dish, then dessert. It wouldn't have to take much more to prepare, and it's a good way to get everyone to slow down a little so they aren't waiting on everyone else to finish before they get their next course.

Anne - posted on 01/01/2010

My husband when he worked he had 30 minutes to eat. When we ate at home I finally got him to slow down by sweetly saying " honey you don't have to eat so fast no one is going to take it from you," and then he and I would laugh together. Also we play games at the table, like checkers or scrabble while we eat, it could be any game even 20 questions, it helps to draw out the meal time together and really helps you to relax.

Nicole - posted on 01/01/2010

One idea I've read about is giving the kids some control over the conversation. Playing games like "everyone says two good things and one bad thing that happened during their day" but the kids get to choose the order of who speaks. Though myself I'm having trouble getting a response other than "I don't remember" from my 7 yr old step daughter.

Maria - posted on 01/01/2010

We have the same problem here at home, since my husband was trained the same way in his Coast Guard days! Lol Even as he has retired, he still eats fast. So, I make it an effort to ask him to help me in the kitchen, little at a time, making an excuse to just find a way to spend quality time together, catching up with each other. I don't know about your husband, but it became a routine for us together. We also bring our dessert to the living room after dinner and eat together, while watching news or a movie. Anything to bond together. You may try these as well. Hope this helps!