Monday, October 12, 2015

The Importance of Family Meals


The Importance of Family Meals

How easy it is to let the family meal slip away from our every day lives.  We are busy, tired and sometimes feel that cooking at the end of the day is the last thing we want to do.  

Here are a few thoughts and some ideas that will help bring everyone together at the table. 

Why is it so important to share food with each other?  A child's first comfort comes from being held in a mother or father's arms and being fed.  Feeling cared for and loved is a need that continues throughout life and sharing a meal is an important element of life.  

This is a time for sharing stories, laughing and feeling close to one another.  Meal times should not be stressful or a time to teach children table manners and politeness.  These skills can be shared with the children at an earlier time as a lesson rather than a correction.  Of course, modeling the behavior we want to see is the best way to teach our children.  They want to be like us, to behave like us and to sound like us, so showing them our best manners and attitude is very important.  

When our society was largely agriculture based,  meals were always a family gathering.  Children helped pick fruit and vegetables, gathered eggs, milked the cows and participated in the preparation of the food.  As most of us live in towns and cities now how can we bring back this opportunity for family togetherness?

Here are a few ideas:
  • Give children some choices as the meals for the week are being planned,  An hour spent on the weekend will result in easier week day evenings.  Make sure to present no more than two choices at a time:  "Should we have tacos or spaghetti on Monday?" 
  • Let children help make the shopping list.  If they are old enough to write they love doing this job.
  • Prepare as much as possible on the weekend.  Cook the soup, make the spaghetti sauce, wash and cut the vegetables.  Children love to help.  Montessori children help prepare snack on a daily basis.  Be sure to have serrated knives with round tips and child size tools when possible.  At the end of the blog is a link to a great source for these items.
  • Set the table:  add a few flowers or herbs in a vase.  Children love to do this, and arrange flowers at school.  Small containers such as bottles and jars look lovely with just a few springs of green or a wild flower or two.  This helps make meal time a special occasion.
  • Playing some soft music is pleasant and makes for good conversation. 
  • Eating outside in good weather is relaxing, casual and fun for the whole family.
  • \This is a good time to show how delicious and appealing healthy food can be.  Encourage, but do not force children to try new things.  Seeing parents enjoy a variety of food is the best way to get children to eat their meal.  
  • Try to avoid processed food and restaurant take out.  Preparing the meal together sets the stage for a pleasant meal and is far more healthful for everyone.  
  • Never use food as a punishment or reward.  The purpose of food is nourishment and enjoyment.  It is very important to remember this. 
  • If the child doesn't want to eat, that is all right.  We cannot force a child to eat.  However, when the meal is over, there are no snacks or other food until the next meal.  If the child says he or she is hungry later, the answer is "You will really enjoy your next meal."  
At first, if this is too difficult to do everyday, begin with several meals a week and increase slowly.  Most of all cherish this time with your family.  The memories that are made by sharing food and stories around the table cannot be replaced.  ENJOY!

A source for child sized tools and cooking implements:  http://www.forsmallhands.com/



Wednesday, October 7, 2015

What to Do in Houston: Fall Fun for Everyoe


Beautiful autumn weather is here!  Time to get outdoors with our children and enjoy the season and have fun together. 

If you are up for a day trip the picture above is from Shangri La Gardens in Orange Texas, a pleasant 2 hour drive from Houston.  This is a true wonderland full of activities and natural beauty.  The Stark Foundation funds the gardens, a museum, a theater and a historical home in Orange.  From October 14 to November 7 there is a scarecrow festival where the garden paths are lined with creative scarecrows and pumpkins.  There is a children's garden, a lake, a pontoon boat ride on the bayou, an amazing nature center with children's activities and much more.  Go to http://starkculturalvenues.org/shangrilagardens/ for all of the activities and other informaltion. 




Boy Baking Stick Bread 
A not to be missed  and free event is Pioneer Days at Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center located at 
20634 Kenswick Drive  Humble, Texas 77338  www.hcp4.net/jones
Saturday, November 14, 2015 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
 DEMONSTRATIONS Pioneer construction skills, Spinning and weaving ,Daily settler chores, soap making Settler crafts,“Native” lore,  Survival skills, Reenactments Heritage music Pioneer cooking  a much more.  Chidren can participate in churning butter, grinding corn, pumping water, shooting an arrow, just to name a few.   The Pioneer homestead features a Corn crib and shed, Chicken house, Smokehouse, Wagon rides, Root cellar,  Log cabin, Wood shop, Bread oven,  Settler garden, Blacksmith shopm Mountain man camp and an authentic Akokisa Indian. 
Visit the web site above for more events:  An Old Fashioned Christmas, boat rides on Cypress Creek, fishing, nature walks, etc.  The park has picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking and biking trails and fishing.  

We don't have to spend a lot of money, fight crowds of people or travel many miles to have a great week. 

Picnics at nearby parks can be wonderful.  Pack a lunch, grill a burger, go kayaking, hike or bike the  trails, play games or read a book near a lake or under a tree.  With a little planning you have all you need for days of family fun.

We are fortunate to have many beautiful and free places close by.  Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Alexander Deussen Park:  http://hcp1.net/Parks/AlexanderDeussen.hiaspx
Fishing, swimming, hiking, a great dog park, many playgrounds, kite flying, boating, picnic areas..this free park has it all.  Lake Houston is at our doorstep...enjoy!

Jesse Jones Park: http://www.hcp4.net/community/parks/jones
This treasure on the far north side of the city has a lot to offer.  Visit the web site for a list of ongoing activities.  Pontoon boat rides, a visit to a pioneer and Native American village, a nature center, miles of hike and bike trails and fishing in Cypress Creek, plus lots of playground and picnic opportunities will make any family happy.

Galveston Island State Park  http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island
Just a short trip down I45 and a day of beach, sun, sand and picnicking waits your family.  For a small fee the day is yours.  Grills and covered picnic tables are just steps from the beach and on the bay side of the park miles of trails and lots of beautiful birds will entertain you for hours. 

On the east end of Galveston Island there are miles of beaches, great fishing and the Galveston/Bolivar ferry.  This free ferry ride goes to Bolivar Peninsula.  You can park your car and walk onto the ferry for a round trip ride, or take your car aboard and explore the peninsula.  Dolphins play alongside the ferries and gulls swoop down to catch bits of bread from the passengers.  Great fun!   http://www.galveston.com/galvestonferry/

Brazos Bend State Park http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/brazos-bend
Screened in shelters and campsites are available if you would like to spend a few days with nature at its best.  The George Observatory located in the park gives a stunning view of the night sky.  More information is on the above web site.  Hiking, fishing and alligator watching provide thrills and picnic areas and grills are ready when you are hungry. 

 These are just a few of the opportunities nearby.   For the best time include the children in the planning.  Older boys and girls can do research and plan the route to the park.  Everyone can help pack supplies and food.  The whole family can make a list of what to take along! Don't forget kites, balls, blankets,  bubbles and books.  The preparation for the outing can be as much fun as the trip.


This is a good time to leave the electronic games at home, relax and enjoy this special time with the children!