You know, I’ve been thinking about how chaotic our family meals can get. Does anyone else feel like dinnertime is a mad rush of voices, laughter, and the occasional argument over who’s taking the last slice of pizza? I mean, just last week, we had spaghetti on Tuesday, and my youngest insisted it was a Wednesday! Time flies, and honestly, I want to capture those little moments before they blur together in my memory. So, why not create a family mealtime calendar? It could be fun, right? Just picturing the kids helping me choose what we eat on certain days makes me smile. Maybe we could even have theme nights! I can just hear my partner groaning already. But isn't it true that these meals, with all their quirks, are the threads that stitch our family together?
Items You’ll Need
- Calendar
- Markers or Pens
- Sticker Sheets
- Whiteboard (optional)
- Whiteboard Markers (optional)
- Family Recipe Book
- Digital Calendar App
- Meal Prep Containers
- Cooking Utensils
- Family Meeting Space
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather My Equipment
I start by collecting everything I need: my calendar, markers, sticker sheets, and my family recipe book. If I feel like it, I might also grab the whiteboard and whiteboard markers.
Step 2: Choose a Family Meeting Space
I set up a cozy space in our dining room where everyone can gather comfortably. This is where our planning magic will happen!
Step 3: Launch Our Family Meeting
I call everyone to come together for the family meeting. The excitement in the air makes me smile as everyone joins.
Step 4: Discuss Meal Preferences
I ask everyone about their favorite meals and any new recipes they’d like to try. I make sure to write these down on the calendar.
Step 5: Be Creative with Stickers
Using the sticker sheets, I let each family member pick stickers to represent their chosen meals on the calendar. It’s so much fun seeing the colorful designs take shape!
Step 6: Plan for The Week Ahead
Together, we fill in the meals for the week on the calendar. I make sure to include everyone’s favorites and any fun themes like Taco Tuesday or Pizza Night.
Step 7: Incorporate Family Recipe Book
While planning, I pull out our family recipe book and let each member suggest a recipe they want to try. We take turns picking one for the week!
Step 8: Digital Backup
I input the final meal plan into our digital calendar app to keep everything organized and accessible on our phones.
Step 9: Prep Containers and Cooking Utensils
I prepare our meal prep containers and ensure all the cooking utensils are organized so we are ready for the week ahead.
Step 10: Celebrate Our Meal Plan
I take a moment to appreciate our hard work. We celebrate by planning a special family dinner to kick off our new meal plan filled with love and laughter!