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Can't Wait for Dinner
Make Family Mealtime Fun for Toddlers and Preschoolers
By Amy Dingmann
Playing "Penny Under the Plate" can easily become a family favorite. Whoever is in charge of setting the table hides a penny under someone's plate – a different plate each night. The person who finds the penny under their plate before eating becomes the star, which can mean different things for each family. They can be the first to eat dessert, be excused from an after dinner chore, first to start the dinnertime conversation or whatever special honor you would like to bestow upon them.
Who doesn't like eating out? Playing restaurant as a family is a great way to have fun while you eat.
"This works especially well on a night when there are a few different options of leftovers to serve," Stevenson says. "Make up simple menus to let the 'guests' know what their choices are. Half the family can be the servers and cooks while the other half enjoys being the guest. Next time your 'restaurant' is open, make sure the servers and guests switch places."
Our lives are packed to the max with a million things to do. Even if you can't gather nightly as a family, choose specific dates on your calendar to be family dinner nights and make every effort to stick to it. Turn off all distractions (computer, TV, phones, etc.) and count yourself lucky for the opportunity to share a meal with your family.
