When I was a kid, dinner time meant everyone sitting at the table eating a meal. There might be light banter or a check in to see how school went, who needed to get done chores etc. It was a great way to connect and stay connected. Let me ask you this- when was the last time you and your family sat around the dinner table for a meal? Without distractions such as cell phone, tablets or the TV on? If your one of the dwindling families who makes it a nightly ritual or the mandatory Sunday dining room table dinner for everyone to catch up, the you already know what I am talking about! Even if you are all around the table- read on, you might get some new conversation starters. If your family isn’t making time at the table or you realize that the only time you gather around the dinner table is for a holiday meal- take notice it’s not too late and it’s still a great way to connect to your kids.
Dinner table discussions allow for parents to tune in to their children’s emotions by talking about how their day went and how it made them feel. Sometimes the chats will be lighthearted and silly, but there will be evenings when the topics are tense. No matter the vibe, it’s always important for parents to create this safe space for their kids to open up, no matter the issue.
Our kids face many new challenges; bullying or even the stress from what the kids watch on television certainly remind us that being a kid isn’t as fun as it used to be. Don’t get me wrong being a kid isn’t the most awful thing, kids still have fun just being kids, but as adults we know that more stressful times can be right around the corner. Parents can use the familiar dinner table platform as a place where families can feel at ease about discussing daily events, hopes and
With work, school and all of the other activities families have going on; it is often the only time they have quality time together to communicate. After a long day, you may find your family doesn’t have much to say at the dinner table. Here are a list of 50 Dinner Conversation Starters retrieved from Everyday Family and Family Education. Feel free to use these or create your own. I have done these lots of time with my clients and we have never run out of questions to add! Engage your kids to create their own list; you might be surprised what kind of questions they are asking!
- What was the best part of your day?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- If you could be a famous person for a week, who would you be and why?
- If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?
- If you had one wish (and you can’t wish for more wishes), what would you wish for and why?
- If you could eat just one food everyday for a month and nothing else, what would it be?
- What is your biggest fear?
- What is one way you helped another person today?
- If you could trade places with your parents for a day, what would you do differently?
- if you could have one dream come true, what would it be?
- If you could pick your own name, what would it be?
- If you could be animal, what would you be and why?
- Which character in a book best describes you and why?
- If you could see your future, where will you be in ten years?
- If you could be a famous person for a week, who would you be and why?
- If you could have any pet, what would you choose and why?
- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- What three words would you use to describe yourself?
- What are the qualities that make you a good friend?
- What is the nicest thing a friend has ever done for you?
- What is your favorite movie and why?
- What is your favorite family tradition?
- What is your favorite sport to play?
- If you could play any instrument, what would it be and why?
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- What is one thing you are grateful for today?
- What is your favorite book and why?
- What has been the happiest day of your life so far and why?
- What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
- Where would you like to go on our next family vacation?
- What is one thing you could have done better today?
- Who is one person in your life you are thankful for and why?
- What is the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten?
- What is your earliest memory?
- What is your most embarrassing moment?
- What is your least favorite chore?
- If you could only eat three foods the rest of your life, what would they be?
- If you could have dinner with anyone (past or present), who would it be and why?
- If you could stay up all night, what would you do?
- What is the most beautiful place you have ever seen?
- What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
- Who is your best friend and why?
- If you had to live in another country, which one would you choose?
- What is your greatest talent or ability?
- What two items would you grab if your house was on fire?
- If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
- What is something you want to learn how to do and why?
- What would you do if you were a king or a queen?
- If you were invisible for a day, what would you want to observe?
- If you had the attention of the world for just 10 seconds, what would you say?
By Michelle Goodwin, LPC, Therapist – San Marcos office
