Lynn Fredericks shares her tips for making dinner a special time and involving children in preparing a meal.

• Turn off the television at mealtime.
• Share responsibility for all aspects of the meal with your children.
• Shop for food with your children, giving them an opportunity to suggest new things.
• Establish a budget for each good category, so when you're shopping they begin to see that prepared foods are expensive and fresh foods go a long way.
• Start with recipes you know they love, explaining that if they want to eat it, they have to make it.
• For a fussy eater, begin by asking your child to help with a simple dessert.
• Make dinner special by setting the table for the meal. Think about using a tablecloth, placemats or cloth napkins.
• Wait until all family members are seated before anyone is permitted to begin eating.
• Make it clear that at dinner time you're only available in the kitchen. If they need you, they are welcome to join you there!
• Engage kids. Keep discussion during cooking and eating to topics that will be interesting to your children.

Lynn Fredericks is the Founder of FamilyCook Productions and Author of Cooking Time is Family Time.

Information courtesy of Lynn Fredericks, FamilyCookProductions.com

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