Family Dinners Brought (Back) To Life

You’ve likely read in the news, a parenting mag or any number of other places over the last decade that family dinners are on the decrease and, conversely, that regular family dinners contribute to academic success, decrease the risk of our children becoming crack heads and keep families connected in ways that are very necessary. As crazy as they are, I love family dinners.

If you’ve ever sat at a table in silence and wondered how to get the conversation started, you’re not alone. You won’t have to hear “Nothing…Nowhere…Nobody…” from your child anymore with the addition of the new card game, Family Talk, to your dinner table. The concept behind Around the Table Games is simple brilliance. These games should not be necessary, but with the state of family dinners in our society today they really, really are. Available in three versions, Family Talk, Family Talk 2 and Grandparent Talk are inexpensive, portable cards games on carribiners (or available in cool jars) that encourage conversations between parents, children and relatives of all ages.

Around the Table Games aren’t just for dinner at your dining room table. “Our games are like taking the dinner time conversation with you, wherever you go,” explains Around the Table Games founder Beth Daniels, herself a working mom. “Because our games are made to be portable, the proverbial table discussions can now be held at the airport, during carpool, waiting in a long line or wherever people gather in the same place at the same time.” You can clip them to a backpack or purse and use them anywhere you might have a few minutes to chat.

Grandparent Talk would make a fantastic gift for your childrens’ grandparents, and it’s just as much a gift for your own childrens. Allowing them and encouraging them to really know their grandparents is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Connecting young people to their family and to their heritage is just one of the things that’s missing from many families today and I, for one, am going to do my damnedest to make sure that my family talks – really talks – and Around the Table Games will sure help!

Save 20% when you buy direct with the code TOPFMT

Win it! One TOP reader will win your choice of the three Around The Table Games! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 2/08 with your choice of the three versions of the game and either a suggested question for a future game or a tip for the rest of us to keep our families connected.

Get up to three additional entries into this contest! (Today you get the expanded version…just in case you need a refresher.)

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

AND/OR
2.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

or

 Subscribe in a reader

Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your subscription. Current subscriptions count too! Just let us know how you subscribe…Bloglines? Another reader? Email? They all work!

AND/OR

3. Place our button in your sidebar or add us to your blogroll. Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid url so we can confirm the addition. If we’ve been there all along, that counts too!

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.theopinionatedparent.com"><img src="http://www.theopinionatedparent.com/images/topbutton.jpg" alt="The Opinionated Parent" /></a>

Maximum four entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED – Congratulations Jennifer!

June 25th, 2008 in Activities, Hand-Making Stuff & Things To Do, For Big Kids (6+), For The Folks, Giveaway!, TOP Shops |

57 Responses to “ Family Dinners Brought (Back) To Life ”

1. # 1 Sharece Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 6:20 am

   I would like family talk the first one and the way we stay connected is every Saturday morning we make a breakfast together that pleases everyone and pick out a family movie to watch while we eat.

2. # 2 Gina Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 6:22 am

   Those look so neat! What a great way to start some new dinner time topics!
   Enter Me! Thank you!

   Gina’s last blog post..A Little Tennessee History

3. # 3 Cher Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am

   Family talk is the most fitting choice since I am a really quiet person. It would help me a lot to have some ideas to open up conversation. I’d love to strengthen our family in this way. Praying together is the deepest way my family stays connected.

4. # 4 Courtney Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 10:00 am

   I would like family talk and we all stay connected by having a game night once a week.

   Courtney’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: First Time on the Wii

5. # 5 Heather Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 10:16 am

   I’d pick the Family Talk and my question would be “what is your favorite thing to do outside in spring/summer/fall/winter?”.

6. # 6 Alice Hansen Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 10:27 am

   The Family talk game would be great. I think having a night set aside just for family is a great way to keep the family connected – we do Monday night.

7. # 7 Carrie H. Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 10:40 am

   I’d like the first Family Talk game. A great way that we stay connected is to always make sure the TV is OFF at dinner time. So obvious, but it’s a big thing.

8. # 8 Reiza Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am

   The Family Talk one looks the most interesting, but they all look pretty cool.

   Reiza’s last blog post..It’s not every day you get My Little Pony news.

9. # 9 Gen Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 11:25 am

   I would choose the original Family Talk- thanks! I know many families do this, but I think asking your kids what was their their favorite part of their day and which was their least favorite draws out things about them that we, as parents, didn’t know or didn’t realize mean so much to them. Thanks for a really cool give away!!

10. # 10 Kathie Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    I like either Family Talk or Family Talk 2. What about a Dating talk for couples who are getting to know each other?

11. # 11 Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    I would love to win the original family talk game. My tip for staying connected is do something outside together away from everyday distractions. A picnic, nature walk, bonfire roasting marshmallows, etc, etc.

    Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland’s last blog post..Win Bugaboo Shoes

12. # 12 Jennifer Still Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    I would love the Family Talk game. What a great idea! Please enter me. I also subscribed.

13. # 13 kelli Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    That sounds like it would be great for our road trip this summer! I’d like the original Family Talk — the clip version looks really handy!

    We have dinner together every night — we go around the table and talk about the best and not-best parts of our day.

14. # 14 Cindi Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    Evening, I would love to win the “Family Talk 2″ game. I am a subscriber to your newsletter. Many thanks, Cindi

15. # 15 Shilo Beedy Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    I would love the original Family Talk! The best way to keep connected is turn off all the electronic gadgets and sit around and talk. Maybe go outside take a walk together or at sit together at the dinner table.

    Shilo Beedy’s last blog post..Contest

16. # 16 Lindsay Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    I would love to have the grandparent game. I know so little about my own grandparents and I would love for my children to know theirs before it’s too late. Thanks for introducing me to these!

    Lindsay’s last blog post..Happy Birthday to Bewanna

17. # 17 bunny Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 3:39 am

    I would love the Family Talk game. My family keeps connected by having dinners and playing games together.

    bunny’s last blog post..MagickDiva’s 10k Hits Blog Candy

18. # 18 toni Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 4:40 am

    I would love to wiin family talk. The best way to stay connected as a family is to make sure you set time aside and go do things just as a family, whether that be to the park or just athome. Also each parent should take each child out alone so the children can have unshared time with each parent.

19. # 19 toni Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 4:40 am

    I subscribe to your feed in google reader

20. # 20 bunny Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 5:33 am

    Subscriber!

    bunny’s last blog post..MagickDiva’s 10k Hits Blog Candy

21. # 21 bunny Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 5:37 am

    Have your cute button on my sidebar!

    bunny’s last blog post..MagickDiva’s 10k Hits Blog Candy

22. # 22 LisaW Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 6:00 am

    I’d love to win the original Family Talk. This sounds like such a neat idea. For a future product idea–how about Toddler Talk?

23. # 23 M.A. Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 9:08 am

    I’d like to have Grandparent Talk. A suggestion for a question might be “what are cut-offs?”. My granddaughter, a competitive swimmer was recently told by a college prof not to wear cut-offs in the pool but had no idea what that meant!

24. # 24 D. Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am

    Any of the games look great—but if forced to pick I’d choose Family2. As for a game question, how about what is your favorite book or movie?

25. # 25 Mya Brooks Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 11:55 am

    Family Talk

26. # 26 Morgan M. Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    I would pick Family Talk – I think this game is a great idea.

27. # 27 Jennifer H. Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    I would choose one of the Family Talk ones. I think this is an awesome way to keep families connected. My suggestion for keeping a family close is to eat meals together around the table instead of letting everyone do their own thing (eating in front of the tv, eating in their room, etc.). I’d love to win. Thanks for the chance!

    Jennifer H.’s last blog post..Reba’s Meme

28. # 28 Jennifer H. Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    I’m a subscriber, as well!!! Thanks!

    Jennifer H.’s last blog post..Reba’s Meme

29. # 29 marybeth i. Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    I would love the original family talk. One of my kids favorite table time games is “what am I” and honestly it is getting a little stale even though I try to mix it up when I can.

30. # 30 Denise Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    Family Talk. I’d have no idea what to ask, which is why I need this!

31. # 31 Jill Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    I would love to have the Family Talk original version. I suspect I’d buy the second set myself.

    Currently, my 7 and 2 year olds love to play I Spy at dinner. I love to hear my little boy say “We play I Spy? Peeeaaassseeee???”

    Another thing we like to do is take turns adding to a silly story, going around the table. We’ve cut down on that one because the little guy isn’t quite yet old enough to participate. Or my husband will tell a silly story, and if he gets stuck or just every few minutes, he’ll say A, B, C. Either our daughter or I will make up three choices for the next action or character in the story, and the other one chooses one. That moves the story in a new direction, and keeps us all involved.

    We’ve come up with some great stories together, and I wish we’d written down a few of them . . .

32. # 32 JenO Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 7:51 am

    I’d like the first family talk. We’re into nature around here, so a fun questions would be if you could be a tree, what kind would you be, and why? (if you don’t know species, go with “tall and thin” or “evergreen” etc)

    JenO’s last blog post..The after-bath hat

33. # 33 Ellie Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 8:01 am

    I’d like the Family version. I think a great question would be “If you could have any super-power for just one day, what would it be and why?”

    Ellie’s last blog post..Freezer Paper Stencils

34. # 34 judy brittle Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    i would choose grandparent talk. 2 of my grandkids live here and i’m a grandma works good for me. that way we can talk more.

35. # 35 RobynLynn Wright Says:
    June 28th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    I would like the original Family Talk game if I won. I bought a blank journal and we keep it on the table. Each night at dinner we all tell one good thing about our day – it doesn’t matter how big or small. I write what everyone says in the journal and date it. It will be nice to look back on.

36. # 36 Sweetpeas Says:
    June 29th, 2008 at 11:33 am

    I’d love the family talk game. One thing we started when dh was working long hours & often didn’t get home till the girls’ bedtime was “talk time” where dh stayed in their room once they were in bed and they talked to him about their day (& asked about his) before going to sleep. When dh’s work took him out of town during the week, talk time happened over the phone. Now he’s working less hours & around more, but they still love those few minutes to talk with Daddy each night.

    Sweetpeas’s last blog post..Two Practically Perfect Days at Sesame Place

37. # 37 Sweetpeas Says:
    June 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    I’m subscribed to your feed.

    Sweetpeas’s last blog post..Two Practically Perfect Days at Sesame Place

38. # 38 Tara R Says:
    June 29th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    I’d like to try the Family talk (original or two). We keep our family connected by doing an activity all together (such as going to the park) one day a week.

    I think a mother/daughter or father/son or mother/son father/daughter talk game would be cool.

    Tara R’s last blog post..humidex

39. # 39 Rebecca Peters Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 6:54 am

    I would like to try the family talk original one. great way to spend time with family.

40. # 40 Vicki Wurgler Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    I’d pick the Family talk2-we make sure we all sit down at supper together and talk about everyone’s day, good or bad

41. # 41 Samantha Pruitt Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 8:04 am

    i’d love the Family Talk 2. I think it would be fun to have a game where you ask trivia questions about yourself or about each other, like, “what is mom’s favorite color?” it would be like a newly wed game for the whole family, that would be a lot of fun!

42. # 42 Samantha Pruitt Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 8:04 am

    and i’m a subscriber! yay!

43. # 43 Sylvia Porter Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 9:39 am

    i’d love family talk 2. i think a great way to get your family together is to do a puzzle, that’s always fun, especially when it’s one of the million piece ones, if that exists.

44. # 44 Heather Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    I would choose “Family Talk” and my question idea is dinner related; What is your favorite vegetable?

45. # 45 kathy pease Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 5:00 am

    the original family talk i guess..it sounds pretty interesting :0

46. # 46 Brooke Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 5:49 am

    I love Grandparent Talk. My question would be: What was your favorite thing to do with your grandparents when you were little?

47. # 47 Jenny Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 am

    Either edition of Family Talk would be great! We’re just starting to get into the habit of all sitting together… IN the dinning room. We were too slack before and I think this would be great!

48. # 48 Lily Kwan Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 am

    I love Family Talk! One way to keep your family connected is to spend time with them.

49. # 49 Carissa D. Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 am

    I would choose Family Talk2. Thanks!

50. # 50 Carissa D. Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am

    I’m a subscriber.

51. # 51 Lily Kwan Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am

    I subscribed to your blog through email.

52. # 52 Heather C Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 am

    I choose Family Talk. Looks good.

    My question: What is your favorite kind of cookie?

53. # 53 reeva Says:
    July 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    i’d choose family talk looks great and we sorta do this already but this would make it official and more fun i think

    thanks for a great contest. i hope i’m the lucky winner.

54. # 54 mannequin Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    We would all enjoy Family Talk, I’m sure. Family Talk 2 would be the next one to get I assume!
    As much as they talk, talk, talk sometimes the dinner table is eerily quiet…

55. # 55 mannequin Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    subscriber of emails am I.

56. # 56 mannequin Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    And one more thing,
    your button is in my sidebar!

57. # 57 dinning room furniture Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 am

    dinning room furniture…

    This is similar to comment spam but avoids some of the safeguards designed to stop the latter practice.A Trackback is one of three…