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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Aug 27 2009 at 10:05pm | IP Logged
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Dh usually isn't home for dinner and I am having a little trouble keeping the dc at the table for the meal.It is our 3rd meal together for the day. I was thinking today that maybe I should come up with cards with questions for us to answer, to learn about things and each other.
We are together all day and their really isn't a lot to talk about, if you know what I mean. Do you have any suggestions?
I can do the "what is your favorite.....?", some questions from school work from the day(oh, that will be a hit  ), "what would you do if....?", etc.
Any more ideas to help start some discussion and keep them engaged(and eating)?
I need a lot of suggestions!
My kids are 11 and 6.
Thanks, Anne
PS-I am going to dig out my Friendly Defenders(my 6 year old won't be able to answer most) and those Brain Builder ones. But I wanted something more personal too, you know?
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 27 2009 at 10:50pm | IP Logged
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It could be a good time to start on some moral issues.. modesty and why we dress as we do, or talking about vocations etc.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Michaela
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| Posted: Aug 28 2009 at 11:01am | IP Logged
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How fun, Anne!
My thoughts...(because you've inspired me to give this a try)...I'd stay clear of anything resembling lessons, at least in the beginning. My kids love to compete against one another though. 
Decorate a special box that only comes out during dinner.
In it add the conversation starter questions.
Each night, pull one card at a time....maybe up to 3 or 5.
Your children could each have a turn picking a card.
Here are some questions to get started. They are easy to tweak if you'd like to change the wording a little bit.
Conversation Starters
Family Meal Conversation Starters
More Conversation Starters
Conversation game -- one already made for purchase (don't know the questions though)
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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SusanJ
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| Posted: Aug 28 2009 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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I'm thinking of some verbal party games and car games we used to play that could be fun and create some great memories. Like, what about the one where you start a story but stop in the middle of a sentence and the next person picks it up for a minute and so on. Or Animal, Vegetable, Mineral (20 Questions).
Susan
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[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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LucyP
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 7:20am | IP Logged
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My mum sometimes did with us girls what her maternal grandparents did with her when she stayed with them - we had to read the paper/listen to the news, and discuss a topic of interest.
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Paula in MN
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At times I've made the kids be in charge of discussion topics and questions, prior approval needed of course. They are excited all day planning what they want to talk about.
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 Paula
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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Dining by candlelight somehow inspires children to behave well and practice their best table manners...
...and I love the idea of Friendly Defenders!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 1:37pm | IP Logged
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Oh, great suggestions ladies. Thank you.
Anne
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Dinner entertainment ideas?
