Friday, October 22, 2010

Does it REALLY Matter if We Eat Dinner Together?

I had so many “memorable” experiences during my 16 years in Hollywood that will continue to fill the pages of my books. As I was filming the announcements for this month’s First Friday I was reminded of one of my appointments with a married celebrity Facialist who ranted to me, the single gal, about how I better never marry a “controlling man who expects you to cook for him because this is the 1990s” she said, (yes this was a while ago) “And self respecting women just don’t do that anymore.”

I believed she had a little baggage, but I was also saddened because I was still single and had visions of an ideal married life with romantic home cooked dinners prepared by me for my eventual perfect husband and children. Okay so reality does not always turn out like fairy tales (especially 13 years into marriage and I’m still not the best cook) BUT I still disagree with my long ago Facialist. That is why I loved two books by Devi Titus--The Home Experience and The Table--both written to help women use what is in their control to create a fabulous home life and enhance their relationships.

Here are just three of the many gems Devi Titus taught me about improving relationships around my kitchen table:

Eat Together: Pick one meal a day when your household comes together for a meal to focus and connect face to face. With today’s hectic lives, it may not be possible every single day at home -- but it’s so worth the effort.

Have Your Say: When you dine together, ask everyone to share something about their day and compel everyone to actually listen. You’ll be amazed how much is revealed that otherwise would be left unsaid. And self esteem is always raised when one feels heard.

Celebrate Together: Have something special as a couple or family that you do on special occasions. Devi gives various simple ideas for this from a special dinner plate to allowing honorees the choice of menu, switching off cooks to having theme nights like girls night, Dad’s night, and many more.

You hear Devi Titus live and in person on the 3rd Thursday of each month now through June in Colleyville, TX as she shares her 10 Smart Choices a Woman can Make to Change her Life" at Third Thursdays,

Yes, you can improve relationships around a table. These 3 simple things revolving around your kitchen table are worth adapting to your busy home life--just eat together, have your say and celebrate--and your family relationships will grow stronger every day.