Jun 01, 2017

Earlier this week my oldest son graduated from elementary school. This life moment seems even more poignant as his grade school is being knocked down when the kids leave for summer. The new school is beautiful and very much needed, but there is a sadness in saying goodbye to this building.

At the end of school celebration each child placed their painted handprints on the brick wall that will soon be gone, to “leave their mark” on the school. To me this is a beautiful symbol of leaving behind the past and gives the kids a chance to think about the impact they had on others during their time there.

This made me think about the imprint that I am leaving on my family. Every day I am choosing how they will remember their time in our home and the experiences associated with all of our everyday moments.

When you look at your overall time together as a family, a good portion of that time is in the kitchen. Why not improve that experience and bring some new life to this living area? I have put together a short list of creative ideas to draw inspiration and make your kitchen a positive family focal point.

Summer is the perfect time to reset. Here are three things you can do right now to change your kitchen conversation for the better:

 Bring Inspiration into your Kitchen

The kitchen is not just about eating and doing dishes. Bring in some big ideas and create a family dream wall or board. This could be a summer bucket list, wish list, or New Year resolutions. My friend Tieraney’s family created a chalk wall. Think creative and make your kitchen a creative space!

 

Display Family Memories

Create a conversation with your family of memories centering around the dinner table or kitchen activities. Find photos from years past and create a photo wall in your kitchen or just stick them on your fridge with some magnets. Kids are especially fascinated with old photos and love to hear the stories that go along with them.

 

Form a Supper Club

I have always thought the supper club concept was a great idea. Find a group of people who are willing to have dinner together once a week, every other week, or even just once a month. You can rotate homes and cooking responsibilities. It can be adults only or family friendly. The key to this isn’t in the details, it is just doing something. Inviting others over for dinner creates a fixed social time to relax.

A second idea would be to invite someone/a group over for dinner with your family and choose someone different each time. This could be a neighbor, someone from work, or a new family in town.  This is a great way to teach your kids hospitality and create a time to just sit down and enjoy a meal.

In my dream world I would love to create an outdoor space as featured on one of my favorite TV series, Parenthood. The concept remains the same though. Take it outside, host it inside at the kitchen table – get together with some folks this summer!

By investing in your dinner experience and bringing some new life to your kitchen area you are investing in your family. When my son placed his handprints on the school wall he remembered all the memories he made in that building with his friends, the teachers who inspired him, and the parents who cared enough to put together this moment for him. Someday when my kids leave the building that is OUR home I hope they leave with a strong sense of family, love, and inspiration that they carry into their home. These ideas listed are small, but the impact is immeasurable.

- Maureen

A Marketing Mom Striving to get out of the Fast Food Lane and into the Grocery Aisle

 

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