Together For Dinner

                I have a question to ask you today! How many of you have dinner together with your children each day?  When I was growing up dinner time was family time, we would discuss how our day went at school or my parents would talk about their day at work. It seems like more and more families are eating on the run instead of making time to sit down with their families and connect with each other. I know sometimes you work late or just are working different shifts, but spending time together for a meal is important. Try to make this a priority in your house. Children who sit down to eat with their parents and talk about their day will eat better and be healthier. Children who eat at home with their parents tend to get more fruits and vegetables and less fried foods like fries and greasy food. Having dinner at home gives them a time help prepare the meal and have some bonding time. Eating at home gives them healthier choices of things to drink also, like milk instead of soda.

                When I was growing up my father worked a lot of overtime in the summer so he could not be home for supper. Since money was tight my mother would take what we had for supper and pack it up for him. We would go to my father work and on his dinner break give him a home cooked meal. All 4 of us kids would go along just to be with him at supper time and to talk about our day. Spending time together was very important to my family and my father really appreciated a warm home cooked meal instead of a cold sandwich. When he worked overtime he would get home late and sometimes we would be in bed already. This was a way we could still have time together as a family.

                Children need to be with their parents after school and supper is a time of day to have family time. If this is a problem at least try to have them with a Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle or very close family friend for supper. Children need to talk after a long day at school and dinner time is the best time to reconnect and learn how their day went and if there are any problems that need to be addressed.

                Try to make dinnertime together a priority in your family at least 3 to 4 days a week. Your children will be happier and healthier. Having dinner together as a family brings you closer together.  This was always a priority when I was little and still is today with my own children. I want my children to know that mom and dad will always be there for them, even if it’s only for a quick meal together. Think of dinner time as a time to share, your children will thank you for it from Suzie Homemaker.

Cheap Valentine's Day Tips

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, do you know what you are going to get your sweet heart for Valentine’s Day? My last two blogs have been for the kids and Valentine’s Day, so today this is for the adults. Do you really have to spend a lot of money on Valentine’s Day? I would say no!  I have a much cheaper way to say I love you on Valentine’s Day. When I heard what the average person spends on Valentine’s Day, I almost died. The average person spends between $75 to $150 dollars on Valentine’s Day. Are you nuts, no way am I spending that much money.  As my husband would say just another holiday that the stores rip you off and expect you to fork out a bundle of money. So here is some of my tips on saving for Valentine’s Day.

Flowers, Flowers, flowers! Yes, flowers are nice but very expensive. This is the time of the year when the florist shops make a killing. They jack up the prices because they know they got you. Don’t fall for this trick, there is a cheaper alternative. If you have to buy flowers go to your local Walmart of another grocery store and buy your flowers there. You can get a nice bouquet of flowers for under $15.oo dollars. Make your own card and personalize it, then deliver the flowers yourself to save a bundle of money.

Do you take your sweet heart out to eat for Valentine’s Day? Get ready to spend over $50.00. This is nuts! I go to the store and buy all the ingredients for a nice dinner and I make a nice candle light dinner for my husband. I can make this dinner for less than half the price of a dinner out at a restaurant. Now you don’t have to dress up and worry about reservations.

Do you take your sweet heart out to a movie? Movies are expensive. Two people and popcorn can cost you over $40.00 dollars. If you have cable of Netflix, watch a movie at home after your special dinner at home. Now you can decide whatever movie you like and watch. like. No going out and waiting in line.

Valentine’s Day Cards, don’t get me going on this one! This is a waste of money. I can tell my husband in many other ways that I love him very deeply. A Valentine’s Day Card can cost you over $5.00 dollars. Cards are a waste of money. Make your own cards and save the money.

My husband and I decided many years ago to stop buying expensive flowers, cards, going out to eat, and doing the movie thing for Valentine’s Day. Spending time together is the most important thing to do on Valentine’s Day. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to be able to say I love you on Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day from Suzie Homemaker.