scribblechic

Over the years our children’s food preferences have shifted, open-minded experimentation has faded into short-sighted favorites. Most of the animated anxiety over dinner time offerings suggests an undercurrent of self-awareness. I don’t like that a statement of self hidden in criticisms of my culinary offerings.

I would love to say that in a zen-like consciousness it was I who created a solution, but in fact I was lost to the struggle for control over mealtime mumblings. Tired and uninspired by the chorus of complaints that met each meal I missed my cue. It was my husband who recognized an opportunity to shift the weight of responsibility and invite a new experience to our table. He proposed that once a week we would plan and prepare a meal as a family; from choosing the menu to grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

Yesterday morning we introduced this new expectation, beginning with selecting a meal so that we could inventory ingredients to create a grocery list. For this particular meal there were fewer opportunities for each child to participate in preparation, something we will have to amend next time, but I was pleased to note the division of responsibilities between children. Where our son helped shop for ingredients and prepared the table, our daughter cleaned up every last dirtied dish wrestling the heaviest of cookware.

At day’s end there were only questions rather than complaints. I wonder if this change would be consistent or sporadic, the enthusiasm contagious or fleeing? Could the initial division of tasks represent individual interests? I am curious for the weeks to follow and inspired by new opportunities to share a meal with my family.

Tagged: Dinner, Family, Musings