5 Dinner Table Rules. 48 Conversation Starters.

If you want to take family dinner to the next level - I'm sharing my 5 table rules and 48 conversation starters

President Obama had the same 24 hours in a day just like you and me.

He dealt with the thorniest of issues at a global scale. 

And yet, he made it a point to eat with his family every night.

My staff knows that it pretty much takes a national emergency to keep me away from that dinner table - President Obama (source)

Love him or hate him, knowing that one of the busiest people on PLANET EARTH made time to sit and eat with his family everyday means that we have NO EXCUSE not to do the same.

Family dinner is the most sacred part of my day. 

This is the time we get the opportunity to talk, connect and debrief on the day’s ups and downs.

We have a few rules and conversation jumping off points that help turn our family dinners into memories that will last forever.

Let’s get into it.

Dinner table rules

Whatever it is we’re eating, we have a few rules at our table that have created space for us to talk (Note that these are OUR rules, not THE rules. Do what’s right for your family):

1. No screens or TV at the table. (We do sometimes get incoming Facetimes from family to talk to the Little Branzino). 

2. Sit to eat. No meandering with food around the house

3. Use real tableware and silverware. Yes this creates dishes to clean but it lets everyone know it’s time to eat.

4. Water for drink. Hydration is important for digestion, sleep and balanced energy 

5. Fruit for dessert. We finish-off the meal with a piece of fresh organic, seasonal fruit 

Conversation starters

Eating is not about the food. It’s about the conversations we have together. 

Here are some conversation starters I use with the Little Branzino, Mrs. Branzino and friends.

With the Little Branzino

Our conversations are limited but growing. Mrs. Branzino and I ask these questions to get things flowing:  

1. Who was at school today?

2. We cycle through his friends and teachers and ask how each one is doing?

3. What did you learn today? 

4. What songs did you sing today? 

5. What stories did you read? 

6. What toys did you play with?

7. What did you eat for snack?

8. What did you eat for lunch?

Every time we cycle through some of these questions, I end up learning more about his little world.

With Mrs. Branzino

When it’s our turn, Mrs. Branzino and I talk about our days. 

I find it important for the little one to know how we’re doing, what went well and what didn’t.

PSA: They are watching and listening to us like hawks. Be mindful about sensitive topics in front of them. (I’ve messed this one up plenty 😀)  

With Friends

I love cooking for friends and family. 

But sometimes the conversations can be a little surface-level talking about TV shows and movies. (There’s nothing wrong with this. It also okay to keep things light.)

But if you wanna go a little deeper, I’ve put together 40 table-side conversations starters that will get you laughing, talking and getting to know each other even better.

👉 Check out my 40 table-side conversation starters

Set the table.

Set the tone.

Get talking! 

- Mister Branzino

PS. If you know anyone (even if they’re a good cook yourself) who could use some support in the kitchen with a fun group of dad cooks send them to Mister Branzino’s School of Culinary Dad Cooks.