“That’s not fair!” may be the most popular complaint in the history of childhood. Kids seem to notice any real or perceived injustice from a very early age, particularly any injustice that befalls them. Yet how, exactly, does one even define what’s “fair?” The classic work in moral development by psychologist Laurence Kohlberg showed that […]

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James You said it, Mr. James. I’m sure most of us would rather be thinking about fireworks, beach trips and cookouts on these summer afternoons than worrying about what to plan for dinner, right? Here […]

Yes, it is back to school for many, but for us at The Family Dinner Project, it’s just another excuse to talk about eating together! Every transition brings with it an opportunity to reinvest in the habits that make our families healthier and happier. School schedules bring with them their own set of challenges, so […]

Seeing that it’s Bullying Prevention Month, we’ve dedicated our October newsletter to cultivating bullying’s archenemy: empathy. At the heart of this hardwired and important quality is the ability to relate deeply to another person’s experience. So, for example, when your child sees you a bit stressed out at dinnertime, he or she empathizes with you […]

Tension at the table is one of the most common reasons families choose not to eat together. Whether it’s complaints about the food, a leftover fight from the day before, or lingering stress from a long day at work or with the kids, there are times that the dinner table can feel like a minefield. […]

Few times of the year are as steeped in tradition as the December holiday season. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or nothing at all, the traditions you practice as a family any time of the year strengthen your family’s sense of identity and contribute to a greater feeling of belonging. Traditions ground us; They […]

It’s February: the month of love and valentines and, depending on where you live, possibly very chilly temperatures. Some places have experienced record-breaking cold this winter. So when we were brainstorming the theme for this month’s newsletter, we thought what better topic to focus on than warmth? These five simple ideas and activities were chosen […]

In recognition of the coming spring and National Nutrition Month in March, we want to help you and your family eat healthier together. We know it’s not easy. Preparing a healthy snack isn’t as quick as grabbing a pre-packaged one (although it can be pretty fast). Whether your kids are picky eaters, or you’re just […]