(Today’s Wordless Wednesday post is below this one)
We used to have…not conflicts, exactly, but awkward moments before dinner time. I’d start dinner, and my husband would come in from work and take the mail to the table and sort through it, or one of the kids would bring a game or their laptop or homework or something to the table. I would try to let them know that I would need to set the table within a certain time frame — I do feel that, even though I’m the authority over my children, I shouldn’t be harsh and demand that they stop what they are doing right now. Sometimes an urgent situation will call for that, but on an everyday basis I try to be considerate and give them a heads-up that I’ll need to start setting the table in ten minutes or so.
Well — sometimes it’s hard to get to a stopping place in a game or project or whatever in ten minutes. Then we would all be tense and frustrated — me, because I tried give them enough warning and felt they had ample time to get done; them because now they’re rushed.
So now when I put the meat on to brown or in the microwave to thaw, I go ahead and wipe off the table and put the plates on first thing. That’s kind of a signal to everyone that dinner will be ready soon. Then as I have time throughout the meal I’ll add napkins, utensils, condiments, etc. Not only does this make pre-meal time more peaceful for everyone, but then when dinner is ready I can get it on the table right away.
You might wonder why I don’t have the kids set the table. I do sometimes, when it’s busy or I’m running late. But I kind of enjoy the peacefulness of having the kitchen to myself while I’m getting dinner ready. Everyone does contribute toward cleaning up after dinner, unloading the dishwasher, taking out trash, etc. — believe me, there is no shortage of chores for everyone. 🙂
You can find some great tips at Rocks In My Dryer on most Wednesdays, and, by all means, share your own with us, too!
Stray Thoughts 
A great idea! (o:
What a great idea! Now that I think of it, we don’t use our table for anything but eating. We do all our hanging out in the family room and the kids do their stuff on a big coffee table in there which is right by the kitchen. But I think it’s lovely when people find a system that works for them as I’m sure this would work for most people. I bet it will work for us too as the kids get older and want to spread out more. Thanks!
P.S. My kids are young (2-9) so I have to keep them busy in the kitchen with me or else they end up in another part of the house causing trouble!
I have had to start doing this too. It began when we’d have people over. I’d get so busy with the preparations that I would forget to set the table! And then it was a mess because it was done quickly. Bad form!
Thanks for the reminder to do it everyday.
I like setting the table early too, because it reminds me that there is an end in sight. Somehow having the plates on the table encourages me that dinner will be done soon and everyone will eat together and be happy.
this is a terrific idea. When company is coming sometimes I’ll set the table well in advance then family members join with the mood to keep things nice, too.
I also set the table in stages, in between the ten minutes I have for something to get down and you get a lot of those 5-10 minutes where its not enough time to start anything else,or go to another part of the house. I use those lags in my cooking time to carry things in that are needed for what I am serving. It so helps with the trips to the table. I also get a tray and put in on the counter closest to the entry way to the dining room. If there isnt enough time or there are a bunch of little things, sauces, salt,pepper, water. Bread dishes.. Go on the tray to take in all at once. Saves steps, and gets done but not in panic mode. I enjoy your blog btw!