Recipe box service HelloFresh has teamed up with TV presenter and family psychotherapist, Anna Williamson, to launch the ‘What’s On Your Plate’ campaign, a toolkit designed to encourage children to open up at mealtimes. According to a recent report, screen time during meals is increasing and a third of families use devices at the dinner table daily, leaving parents longing for more high-quality sit-down meals with the family.
The child counselor and life coach has shared her best tips and conversation starters to help you find out more about your child. The aim is to help parents connect further with their children and to give them the tools and space they need to talk about what is going on in their lives.
From family issues, school and friendship to reflecting on their goals, feelings and gratitude, Anna has created conversation starters around important topics that children traditionally keep close to their chest.
Anna’s advice:
The right environment
Environment is key when opening up topics of conversation and getting to know your children and what’s going on in their world, and the perfect place for chats is around the dinner table. The beauty of meals is that we have several potential opportunities a day to start conversations, and best of all the whole family can engage while enjoying a wholesome, freshly cooked meal.
A collective decision
Make the conversation fun!
Making the conversation fun is key. So is using the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” approach to listening to your children. As adults, we can often unintentionally project our thoughts and feelings onto them, which can distort getting the true authentic response and takes away the autonomy and control they need to express themselves. Asking your children well-framed interesting questions can help them share what’s going on in their world, support them in sharing and naming their feelings and emotions, and give them the opportunity to literally “bring anything to the table.” Whether it’s sharing a concern at school, a worry about the big wide world, or wanting to explore dreams and aspirations, talking with your children around the dinner table provides the perfect place, with time and space to let such chats flow .
Have a conversation with your children with your meal, you might be surprised to learn more and more about them as they trust and enjoy the process of family tea time reimagined. And as a caregiver, you will undoubtedly feel more connected and confident that you know your child better.’
The conversation tool is available to view and download from the HelloFresh website now.
