Solo Moms Can Build Connections Through Family Meals
- Renee Wixon
- Mar 20
- 7 min read
Updated: May 20
Research shows that eating regular family meals can reduce:
Obesity and eating disorders
Smoking, drug use, and sexual activity
Stress, anxiety, and depression
Financial spending
Eating family meals also encourages the following:
Healthier dietary choices
Better school performance
Sense of structure and security
Manners and good behavior
Values (religious, ethnic, etc.)
Resilience that will last a lifetime
Enjoyment and engagement
EAT.
Sharing meals regularly helps to build connections and a sense of family identity and purpose. Research indicates that strong family connections are crucial for mental health in both children and adults. Regular family meals give children structure and a sense of security.
Family meals provide kids with a regular opportunity to connect, share, listen, and learn. As children discuss their day, mothers can gain insight into their challenges and discover ways to guide and teach them. Children who often eat family meals say that their parents know what is going on in their lives and make them feel important and loved.
Family meals are generally healthier and include more fruit and vegetables. When families regularly eat meals together, kids are less likely to graze and eat in front of the TV. Eating in front of the TV can discourage conversation and lead to overeating.
Eating meals together isn’t just beneficial for married couples. Remember, you are a family, and you are in charge. Solo parent families benefit even more when they begin eating meals together. Children who move back and forth between their parents often feel more secure when they have meals together. And the benefits aren’t just for the kids; everyone gains from increased family closeness.
TALK.
Tips for making family meals work for you
Make family meals a tradition in your home but do it your way! A family meal is when you and your child(ren) sit down and eat a meal together. Make family mealtimes a priority. Gather the family at a time that suits your schedule.
Any meal can be a family meal: breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Keep the meal simple and use shortcuts, such as frozen vegetables and rotisserie chicken. Make one meal but include something that each person will eat.
Restaurant or take-out food counts for family meals. Have the kids help plan, make meals, and clean up.
Make mealtimes electronic free. Turn off all phones, tablets, and the TV.
Establish a routine to start the meal. Say a prayer or sing a song.
Keep the conversation positive. Avoid using mealtime as an opportunity for discipline, correction, or arguments.
Occasionally invite friends and extended family members to join your family meals.
Get creative with where and how you have your meals.
Don’t quit having meals together when your kids are older and busier. Teens need rituals and connections just as much as younger kids.
If you aren’t sure what to talk about, use the preprinted conversation starters I’ve included. Have kids take turns picking a conversation starter.
Here are some questions you can ask to get conversations going at the table:
What gifts can you give that don’t require money?
What is a gift that you really appreciated that wasn’t bought? Why? Who gave it to you?
How would you try to convince someone to get what you want? Does it work? Why or why not?
What would you say to someone who said there was no such thing as wind? How would you prove there was?
What animal would you compare yourself to? Why?
How can you disagree without arguing?
Have you ever been mad, and someone answered you with kind words? How did that make you feel? Is it good to have disagreements?
If you could go to sleep and wake up and be something different, what or who would you be? Why?
Have you ever changed something about yourself? Why or why not?
Tell each person at the table something that is good about them.
What is your favorite thing to do? How does it make you feel and think when you are doing it?
What makes a good leader? Are you a good leader?
How do you know if something is true or false? When someone tells you something, how do you know if he/she is telling the truth? Why is it important to be truthful?
What is the most generous thing you have ever done?
What does it mean to be courageous? Does courage mean not being afraid? What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
Grab some packaged food or cans from the cupboard. What things on the label make customers want to buy them? If you were a can in the supermarket, what good things would be on your label?
Are you good at keeping secrets?
What does it mean to love somebody? (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)
What is something about you that makes you special?
What are all of your nicknames? Do you like any of them?
What are you really good at?
Tell each person at the table the gifts and talents they have.
With your body, show what love looks like.
Imagine that Jesus is at the table with us. What will you talk about? What food would you serve?
Describe a time when God seemed far away or very near.
How do you hear God’s voice?
What question would you like to ask God?
What could you do to make God stop loving you?
Tell about a time when you or your family helped someone.
If you saw a friend crying, what would you do?
Whisper to the person on your right side something that you like about them.
Pretend you are writing a letter to Jesus. What would you say?
What does it mean to forgive?
Have you ever forgiven someone? How did it make you feel?
Tell about a time when you did something wrong, what made you feel better?
Where is God?
Tell me a story about God.
Tell about a time when you needed to be brave.
Finish this sentence: I think it is important to help others because…
Talk about a dream you had.
Are you a good friend? What makes you a good friend?
What kind of food would describe you? Why?
What is your favorite music?
If your family received a gift of $5,000, how would you like your family to spend it?
Tell me about a time when you were afraid.
What is your favorite color?
What was something beautiful you saw this week?
What do you like best about our family?
What is your favorite fruit or vegetable?
Tell me about a time you felt really happy.
What is something you want to learn to do?
What is a food that you don’t like? Why?
What do you like doing together as a family?
What makes you feel loved?
What is the best thing to do when you feel really mad?
What is the best thing for you to do when you feel sad?
If you could be a superhero, who would you be?
Would you rather fly or be invisible? Why?
What foods on the table are crunchy? Chewy? Hot? Cold? Spicy? Sweet?
If our family could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you like to have?
What made you laugh today?
If you could be an animal, bird, or bug for a day, what would you be? Why?
What is the best food to eat for breakfast?
Do you think it is ever okay to yell at somebody? When?
Do you think it is ever okay to hit somebody? Why or why not?
Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
If you were the president of the United States, what would you do?
What is the hardest thing you did today? What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
How are you different from the person sitting next to you at the table? How are you the same?
Name 2 or 3 of the most important people alive. Why did you choose those people?
Talk about a funny or silly thing that happened to someone today.
What should our family plan to do next week? Next year?
What new foods should we learn to cook?
What planet or star would you like to visit?
What new thing did you learn today?
What mistake did you make today? What did you learn from your mistake?
What is something you’ve done that you are really proud of?
Would you rather have toes for teeth or teeth for toes?
What is one thing that you couldn’t live without?
How did you help somebody today?
What did you do that was kind today?
Do you like rain or snow better? Why?
Would you rather be a dinosaur or a dragon? Why?
What is the grossest thing that has ever happened to you?
What are you thankful for today?
If you could only eat 3 foods for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
What is one word that describes you?
Who is the person who makes you laugh the most?
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
What is your favorite book?
What is your favorite toy?
What is your favorite movie?
Would you rather fly in an airplane or in a helicopter?
Do you like being outdoors or indoors better? Why?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What is your favorite thing about your mom?
Where is your favorite place to go? Why?
Why is it important to say thank you to people?
If you could make a movie, what would it be about?
Describe your perfect day, from the time you wake up until you go to bed.
What rule would you like to change?
Share your best memory and your worst memory.
What makes a good friend?
What is your favorite thing about your brothers or sisters?
Why is learning to do hard things good? What makes our family special?
Play “make me laugh.” Pick one person and have everyone at the table try to make them laugh. Then, go on to the next person. Who has the funniest laugh?
What kind of work do you want to do when you grow up? Why?
What is your favorite Bible story?
Would you rather have a rock in your shoe or something in your eye?
Why is it so great to be a boy? Why is it so great to be a girl?
Would you rather have a cat or a dog for a pet?
What do you pray about the most?
What is more fun: art, music, sports, or math?
What do you talk to Jesus about?
How do you know that God is talking to you?
Would you rather have chocolate cake or ice cream?
Who is your favorite Bible character?
Why is it wrong to lie?
How long can you hold your breath?
What is your favorite story and why?
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