July 27th, 2011
(The third in a 3-part series): When it comes to dinner, harness your elementary school-aged child’s wish to be more competent and to play by the rules
Food For Thought
Hungry for family dinner advice? Dr. Anne Fishel draws on her experience as a family therapist, associate professor of psychology, and mother of two sons to bring you helpful dinnertime observations and tips.
Comforting the Sick: What Dinner Do You Want When You’re Under the Weather?
April 4th, 2011
A curious look at what we crave when we’re ill- and why
How to Make your Toddler an Adventurous Eater and Cooperative Diner
March 3rd, 2011
(Part two in a series) Young kids are not the most civilized dinner companions. Dinnertime can feel like sitting with a group of monkeys…But, this is a critical time for developing family meals as a ritual
Fast Slow Food
February 11th, 2011
“Fast food” doesn’t have to mean unhealthy, oversized meals with high fat and sugar content served in Styrofoam containers.
Play with Your Food, Not Your Video Games
December 21st, 2010
‘The kitchen isn’t just the workstation for family dinners; it can also be the “play station” for many fun and creative projects.’
The Very First Family Dinners
December 11th, 2010
(Note: This is the first post in a series.)
Far more important than developing a robust eater, and regardless of whether your baby is bottle- or breast-fed, the feeding relationship is the first crucial task of parenting.
The Power of Table Talk
November 12th, 2010
From building vocabulary to building resistance, conversations at the dinner offers benefits for kids – and families.
by Dr. Anne K. Fishel
Anne Fishel is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at the Harvard Medical School and the Director of the Family and Couples Therapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has lectured and written about the benefits of family meals.
Her book about family dinners, Home for Dinner: Mixing Food, Fun and Conversation for Happier Families and Healthier Kids, is available through Amazon.