How to Have a Relaxing Dinner--Even with Kids!

Tired of the endless arguments your kids have at the dinner table? Yes, me, too! So is my husband. We are in the middle of eating dinner and our kids start to argue. We both get upset feeling angry and not digesting our food very well. After preparing a meal that takes time, we want to enjoy it; not be angry while eating.

I always thought of dinner time as a time to catch up and see how everyone's day went. That is the picture perfect dinner for my husband and I.

Well, now I found it!

For a few months now, I have turned off our television blaring in the living room. The news is always on. The bad news. Who wants to listen to all of the troubles in the world when trying to enjoy a meal with their family? Not me. I'm sure not you.

We ate with no television on. Ahhh, much better. But not good enough. The arguments still were upon us.

So for the last few nights I tried something different. It worked!

After my husband and I cut up the vegetables and he grilled the shish-ke-bobs, we sat down to dinner. I poured myself a crystal glass of Pinot Grigio and my husband had a glass of homemade beer. His beer was from our favorite brewery, Randy's Restaurant. The three boys got a cold glass of milk.

I turned on our disc player with the CD "Sentimental Piano." The mood changed. We have been a Leave It To Beaver family, I must say.

The disc Sentimental Piano by Dr. Nick Moore*Sole Piano plays the songs:
Moon River
Twilight Time
The Man I Love
Stardust
April in Paris
I Only Have Eyes For You
I'm in the Mood For Love
Embraceable You
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
As Time Goes By
My Blue Heaven
Chances Are
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Some Enchanted Evening
Bonus Tracks:
You'll Never Know
The More I See You
You Made Me Love You

I may be a little partial to all of these songs. I have been learning how to play the piano and loving it! I find the piano relaxing. Also, I used to work as an activities aide with the elderly. Every Tuesday we sang some of these songs for one hour. The only sad part is some of the elderly have since passed on, but I can still hear their song bird voices. I get an extra visual in my head of the happiness in their eyes and voices at this activity.

At first, my husband is like "How long is this song going to last!???" Okay, it was on song #4, honey! I guess to him they all sound the same. Not to me, as I can picture all of the grandma's and grandpa's I inherited happily singing each precious note.

The boys were calmer listening to the piano music. They shared their day. Lots of giggles have been shared at the kitchen table. Not one fight. I cannot even believe it! I say it is worth a try for you and your family!

At the end of our meal my husband and I danced! My son's took a turn and I had the honor of dancing a slow dance with each of them. (I always fast forward to their wedding day and there I am dancing with them!)

I am sure we all will remember these special moments forever. I can only hope they pass this serene tradition onto their families.