Why dinnertime matters more than you think

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 3, 2025

We all need to eat, but family dinner is about more than just food. It’s one of the few times in the day when everyone can come together, unplug, and reconnect. That short window around the dinner table might be the most important part of your family’s daily routine.

When you sit down together, you’re doing more than passing the peas; you’re checking in on each other’s lives. You’re showing your kids that what they think and feel matters. And when they see you sharing about your own day, they learn that communication goes both ways.

So, what should dinner talk look like? Keep it light, curious, and fun. Talk about something you heard in the news. Share a funny moment from your commute. Ask what your child played at recess or what surprised them today. It’s not just conversation, it’s connection.

And here’s the key: keep dinner a drama-free zone. Turn off the TV, put phones away, and don’t use the time to bring up discipline or unfinished chores. Dinner isn’t the place to argue about broccoli or push one more bite. Let food be the backdrop, not the battleground.

Make space for everyone to talk. Ask your partner how their day went, but make sure the kids don’t just listen — they get to talk, too.

These dinner moments — small and consistent — create a rhythm of belonging. They may seem ordinary now, but one day, your kids will look back and realize how much those meals meant. So go ahead — set the table, pass the salad, and talk it out. It’s not about what’s on the plate; it’s about who’s around the table.