Scheduled Meal Times

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Every one in our family knows our meal schedule:

  • Breakfast – each on his own
  • Lunch – 12:30
  • Dinner – 6:00

Having a set meal time simplifies much for us such as:

  • Not having to have family members ask me what time a meal will occur.
  • Not having to call people when it is meal time.
  • Being able to plan my schedule so that there is an appropriate amount of meal prep time for the meal to be ready on time.
  • Family members counting on the consistency of the meal times for their personal scheduling needs.
  • Making it a priority to enjoy two meals together each day.


There are occasions when those meal times flex such as when a family member has something that would cause them to need an earlier or later dinner. Then with communication, the meal time is scheduled for that night for a time that will work. Those are occasional exceptions. Overall we enjoy the peace and order consistent meal times bring to our home.

If you don’t have consistent meal times, it isn’t difficult to establish that habit. Remember, habits make life easier. Think about meal times that would likely work well for your family, then backward plan so that you allow the necessary time to prepare the meal. Set timers on your computer, stove, phone or whatever you have accessible to you so that you are reminded to stop what you are doing to begin the meal. Avoid the temptation to “just do a little bit more” of whatever you were doing, and head straight for the kitchen.  I expect your family will like knowing they can count on meals at a particular time and that those expectations will be fulfilled.

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

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“Walk in wisdom toward them that are
without, redeeming the time.”
Colossians 4:5

6 thoughts on “Scheduled Meal Times”

  2. Great idea. Because of work schedule we only get one meal a day (dinner) together as a family. It is important to our family to get that time of conversation. We always have a particular question that we ask and everyone gives their thoughts.

    Thank so much for your inspiration Terri!
    Blessings

  3. I must say this post is very inspiring! My goal is to achieve a scheduled family life and this is a terrific way to go. Thank you for the post!

  4. Good post! I am very familiar with the “just do a little bit more” trap! It never ends up being a little bit! 😉
    Alicia

    Sarah, how’s your new book coming along?
    Alanna
    —
    Alanna: Thanks for asking. I’ve been pretty busy, so it’s not coming along at the moment, but should be soon :). –Sarah

  5. Scheduled meals have always been a priority in our home. It makes life so much easier. Plus it is a time when we can discuss our days events!

    Thank you for sharing!

  6. I have different times of the year where we appear to still be working on this, but I have REALLY come to see the value of those “anchor points” of the day. Regularly scheduled mealtimes, along with regularly scheduled Bible Time/Family Worship Time seem to either make or break the rest of the day/week/month. Combined with regular (and reasonable) bedtimes and wake-up times, these “anchor points” can help everything else run so smoothly and also help prioritize activities that threaten a family’s HOME TIME. The people I have living at home still, range from age 5 to age 22, and the older everyone gets, the more important this is. Thank you for the encouragement and wise reminders. It is also edifying to see you walking this out before us as we learn.

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