(As part of our Mother’s Day tradition, my youngest daughter and I each planted a rose bush. )

Happy Mother’s Day!

Before we headed down to the Bay Area to see Sweeney Todd at the Santa Rosa Junior College, I was an early bird this morning and  took a trip to the Nevada County Grower’s Market that’s held every Saturday morning at the North Star Family House.

I picked up fresh roasted garlic bread, whole grain bread, kumquats,  lots of fresh greens to include kale, cilantro, sweet onions and garlic. I even pick up a couple of apple shaped gourds. Everything smells amazing and fresh!

And while I was at the market, I snapped these shots.

How often does your family sit down for dinner? When you sit down together at the table, is the TV on? Is your daughter texting under the table back and forth on facebook? Is your son wolfing down his food so she can get back to his video games on Xbox or Wii? Are you answering calls from your boss or working on office paperwork at the table? Are you thinking you’re schedules are too busy to sit down and have a family meal?

It’s time to call, “ FAMILY TIME OUT”!

It is so important to spend that quality time with your family at the dinner table. Studies show that the family dinner hour is an important part of healthy living. When families dine together, they tend to eat more vegetables and fruits — and fewer fried foods, soda, and foods with trans fat according to research. It’s important to start your children on a lifetime of good eating habits. Studies also show that children who eat dinner with their families are more likely to do well in school and less likely to try dangerous behaviors like smoking, alcohol, and drugs.  A side benefit is that your children learn better manners, social skills and become adept at adult conversation.

Our kids love to talk, about their day in school, what’s going on with their friends or just simply asking questions about a variety of topics so conversation is never a problem at our dinner table. They even like to help in the kitchen, which is a good thing. Kids in the kitchen helping is a great learning tool and experience for them.

However, I know that there are those families who struggle with how to get their kids talking. Even to the dinner table.  There are many helpful Family Table Talk ideas like these listed below that are very helpful. Here are a few of my favorites:

• If you could be a cartoon character for one week, who would you be?
• What is the scariest dream you’ve ever had?
• If you could decorate your room any way you wanted it, what would it look like?
• What is the most interesting/exciting thing that has ever happened to you?

This is time for listening to each other, sharing the day’s stories, and nurturing the family connection. It will make a huge difference!

What great Dinner Conversations have you had this week?

I’ve truly always been passionate about family and friends connecting during meal time, and I hope the family table talk ideas and  questions I share will encourage many wonderful times of laughter and engagement with your family. For me, it brings great joy to be able to share our family table talk with you and I would love if you share these your family’s ideas with me.

Topic For Tonight’s Family Meal: What is your earliest childhood memory?

(Photo Credit)

I spent a little bit of time researching online for some  fun and new creative family table talk ideas and thought the idea of personalized placemats was absolutely one of the best ideas for families.

KiKiCreates has some great placemat creations and I absolutely LOVE this one! –

The Story of My Day.  This will give your child the opportunity to write or draw his/her activities from the day. When mom or dad asks during dinner what they did during the day..there will be no more “I don’t know” or “nothing” answers!

Now you could print them out and have them laminated (or laminate them yourself) which I’m thinking of doing or you could have them made through InkGarden. I’ve read others are impressed with the quality of their work and nd right now you can get a FREE Placemat with coupon code: PLACEFREE(once per Ink Garden account/person)  This offer is valid through 4/30, just pay $3.99 shipping. That’s a pretty good deal!

I really like this idea, especially for younger children. Conversations at dinner time are important to a family. Dinner time seems to be the only time when people can slow down and enjoy the company of their family. This time is crucial and it is important to make the best of it with your children. Conversation starters can be a real help especially when you have other things on your mind.

Head on over to Ink Garden, choose one of their designs or upload photos and create your own!