Between work, school, soccer practices, and a never-ending laundry pile, sitting down for a family dinner each night of the week may seem impossible. But despite the challenging logistics and time restraints, becoming a "kitchen table family" is something many modern parents are striving for.
The term "kitchen table family" is used to describe families who consistently gather around the kitchen table to eat, talk about their day, and actually connect. For many families, it's the only time they're able to come together in a space with limited distractions and screens.
Similarly to a "living room family," the kitchen table family is often the gold standard when it comes to creating routine and building a sense of community in your home. But it's not just about finding a time to eat together; it's about creating a space where every member of the family can show up, be heard, and feel like they're a part of something.
Below, an expert explains the importance of raising a kitchen table family.
Experts Featured in This Article
Caroline Fenkel, DSW, LCSW, is an adolescent mental health expert and the chief clinical officer at Charlie Health, a treatment program for teens and adults struggling with their mental health.
What Is a Kitchen Table Family?
A kitchen table family describes a dynamic where moms, dads, and children come together to eat and connect over dinner - most often around the same time each day. "They prioritize regular moments of connection, most often over meals, where people feel seen, heard, and safe," adolescent mental health expert Caroline Fenkel, DSW, says.
Turns out, there are many benefits to building a kitchen table family. "Families who regularly eat together tend to report stronger relationships, better communication, and healthier coping strategies," she says.
For children specifically, this consistency helps them find structure and acceptance. "Consistent family meals are associated with lower rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, and disordered eating. Not because the table itself is magic, but because it creates a rhythm of connection," Dr. Fenkel adds.
How to Create a Kitchen Table Family
To start, find a time that works best for your family to come together to eat and connect. Though there are plenty of family-friendly dinner conversation starters you can bring up, don't feel like you have to force any conversation. "Make it low-pressure," Dr. Fenkel says.
If you're looking for a way to get your children more involved, however, Dr. Fenkel suggests having everyone in the family share a high and low from the day or perhaps a moment they're grateful for. "Over time, that five or ten minutes can become the most stabilizing part of a child's day," Dr. Fenkel says.
It's important to note, however, that it may be hard to find consistency each night - especially if your children live in more than one household or members of the family have inconsistent schedules. For this reason, Dr. Fenkel suggests focusing on a repeatable moment of connection versus a dinner. "Whether it's a shared breakfast twice a week or a bedtime snack with no distractions, consistency over aesthetics always," she says.
Rest assured, you can also form this type of family dynamic without owning a kitchen table. "It's less about the physical table and more about what that table represents," Dr. Fenkel says. "What matters is carving out time where people put their phones down, make eye contact, and share more than just food." For this reason, you can build a kitchen table family on the couch, in the living room, and even on the floor.
If a set time for dinner works best for your family, great. But no worries if your version of a kitchen table family is cereal on the couch or a piece of chocolate together before bed. As Dr. Fenkel says, "It's not about perfection or having all the answers - it's about showing up."
Related: The "Power Pause" Is Redefining How Women Approach Career Breaks Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the balance editor at PS, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With seven years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Millennial Urge to Raise a "Kitchen Table Family" )
Also on site :