Family Dinners Week 1 Dinners 1-3: Wins, Struggles & Why I’m Sticking With It

Let’s be real—family dinners sound like a great idea, but actually making them happen? That’s a whole different story. Between rehearsals, sports, homework, and the endless chaos of life, some nights it feels like a miracle if everyone eats at the same time, let alone at the same table.

But I’m committed to this 100 family dinners challenge, and Week 1 is officially in the books! Did we have seven perfectly curated, Instagram-worthy meals? Nope. Did we make it happen anyway? Yes.

What We Actually Ate

This week, I managed three sit-down dinners. Not seven, not even five, but three intentional meals together—and I’m calling that a win.

I wanted to elevate our dinners without spending hours in the kitchen, so I pulled out my old Rachael Ray’s 30-Minute Meals cookbook. Sure, I could’ve just Googled recipes (and I did), but there’s something nostalgic about flipping through actual pages.

Here’s what made it to the table:

🍽️ Sausage and Rice – Easy, hearty, and a crowd-pleaser.

🦐 Shrimp Scampi – Fancy-ish but still quick!

🍗 Chicken Nuggets & Broccoli – Because real life.

And guess what? It didn’t matter what was on the plate. What mattered was that we sat down, talked, and connected.

Why Family Dinners Matter (Beyond Just Eating Together)

We all know family meals are supposed to be good for kids, but the research backs it up in a big way:

📚 Better Grades – Kids who regularly eat dinner with their families are more likely to do better in school. A study from Columbia University found that teens who have frequent family meals are twice as likely to get A’s.

🧠 Better Mental Health – Regular family dinners are linked to lower rates of anxiety, depression, and stress in kids. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that teens who eat with their families at least five times a week are significantly less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug use and drinking.

🥦 Healthier Eating Habits – Kids and teens who eat with their families tend to eat more fruits, veggies, and whole foods. Plus, they’re less likely to develop eating disorders, according to research from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Stronger Relationships – Sitting down together gives kids a built-in space to feel heard, share their thoughts, and strengthen their bond with family. Even if they roll their eyes at first, it makes a difference.

(If you want to geek out on more research, check out the Family Dinner Project—they have tons of data and ideas to make meals more meaningful.)

The Real Win? The Conversations

At our three family dinners this week, we talked about:

✅ The best & worst parts of our day

✅ Random “would you rather” questions (Would you rather have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon? 🤔)

✅ Plans for the weekend

And shockingly…everyone got along. No fighting, just simple connection. Even on chicken nugget night.

It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Showing Up

I’ll be honest—some nights, I wanted to skip it. Life is busy, and sometimes, takeout in the car between activities is the best we can do. But even just three sit-down dinners made a difference. The goal is connection, not perfection.

How Are You Connecting With Your Kids This Week?

Maybe it’s family dinners, maybe it’s an after-school snack chat, maybe it’s a bedtime story. Whatever it looks like for you, I’d love to hear how you’re making space for connection. Here’s to another week of trying, adapting, and making memories—one meal at a time. 💛