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Day 9: Eating Areas

If the kitchen is the heart of the home… then the eating areas, the dining areas might be said to be the pulse of the home, the rhythm of the home.

Family tables are a gathering point.

Picture for a moment what happens at family tables:

• meals
• family game nights
• late night homework
• early morning devotions
• Super Bowl parties
• romantic candlelight dinners
• holiday celebrations
• family meetings

Are these relevant or revolutionary thoughts? Maybe…

“They hardly look like radicals, but nearly 400 Minneapolis parents did something revolutionary recently: they pledged to eat meals with their families at least four nights a week. ‘Funny, isn’t it, that you’re being countercultural these days when you sit down to dinner?’ muses William Doherty, Ph.D., director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota.” ~The Family Table, 31Daily

Here’s to being countercultural. I never thought I’d say that!

In the same linked article, we resourced data that showed children who ate regularly with their families tended to have higher grade-point averages, were more well-adjusted, less likely to feel depressed, suicidal, or smoke or use alcohol.

In a nutshell, that’s why the eating area is incredibly important. I’m kind of passionate about this. It’s important, vital even for the health of families. It’s got to be a priority.

And to become a priority, it takes a little effort.

Yet, these areas sometimes have to serve a dual purpose and therefore can accumulate clutter.

Let’s do it! Remove the clutter, contain what needs to be contained… and re-create a “family table!” (View the images at the bottom of the post for some inspiration!)

Checklist

31daily-easy-steps-to-an-organized-life-eating-area-day-9

Objective: To create a functional family table — to promote fun, family memories.

• De-clutter. Remove all items that don’t belong and put them where they do. Leave only items that will be used in this space.

• Create a family table. If you don’t already have an eating table, consider buying one, setting up a card table draped with a pretty cloth or quilt or obtain one second hand. Make it a priority to set up that family table.

• Dust all surfaces of furniture in this area, including overhead light fixtures.

• Vacuum, especially under the table.

• Launder any linens you use in this area.

• Create dedicated storage (furniture items with compartments that can hide these items are ideal) for items that must remain in this area.

• Clean and de-clutter any other eating surfaces you may have like an eating bar in the kitchen or a kitchen table.

• Celebrate with a family dinner or invite someone over for dessert and show off your newly cleaned room!