Do you have dinner as a family most nights? I say most nights because life happens. We work late, we have activities, and sometimes we eat on the go. But most nights we try to eat as a family at the table. Years ago, we developed a tradition at the dinner table revolving around our dinner conversation. It revolves around three questions. Over the years I have realized how important these questions have become for many reasons.
Here are the reasons these questions are so important:
1. It helps develop conversation skills both in asking and answering questions.
2. It makes us feel valued and included knowing no one will not be left out.
3. We think of others and not just ourselves as we take turns who starts and the order.
4. Throughout the day we can prepare and contemplate our answers so we are never caught off guard with nothing to say.
5. The questions themselves make us better people.
6. Family time is priceless
7. It makes me a better parent and a better person
8. It gives children insight into our world as adults as well.
I am sure by now you are dying to know what the three magical questions are! They are simple and anyone can do them. Here are the three questions we ask every night at dinnertime:
1. What was the best part of your day?
2. What did you do nice for someone else today?
3. What did someone else do nice for you?
It is amazing the conversation these questions can lead into. Sometimes the answers are short, sometimes very long. But it makes us all think of the positive things in our life. At times talking about the best part of the day will also lead to the not-so-good parts too, which we also like to hear about.
Discussing what we did nice for someone else and knowing you will be asked this question at the end of the day makes you conscious of it all day. At first, you may need to help them think of answers, and that is okay, be patient. Here are some questions you can ask them to get the ball rolling if someone is stumped:
- Did you hold a door for someone?
- Did you smile at someone?
- Did you help your teacher?
- Did you clean up someone else’s mess?
- Did you check on a friend that was hurt?
- Did you give an extra hug or high five?
- Did you help set the table without being asked?
- Do you want to do dishes without being asked? Wink wink LOL
- Was there someone you don’t usually say “hi” to that you said “hi” to?
It can be simple acts of kindness or over the top. No matter what it feels good to be recognized. It also feels good to acknowledge that others were kind to you as well. More often than not it is someone that is also sitting at the table that is being acknowledged.
Share with me on Twitter @Fairy_Tailed or Facebook @FairyTailedWish if you give this a try. I would love to hear what you think. Or if you have any questions that you traditionally ask at your dinner table.