Sometimes at the end of a busy day, you’re just too pooped to chit chat at dinner.
You know those evenings. They usually follow an afternoon filled with schlepping boisterous kids, and their friends, to one or more after school activities. You’ve run through the obligatory “how was your day” and “who did you sit with at lunch questions” hours before it’s time to sit down and talk with your kids at meal time.
Or maybe it was the constant nagging to get your kids to do their homework or clean their room or play nice- stop picking on your sister and all that jazz that stole your gift of gab by the end of the day. The cause is irrelevant, the result is always the same.
Your body is tired, your soul drained and your brain is fried. You know what happens next. It’s inevitable. Just when you are aching to sit quiet all by yourself…now comes dinnertime. Yipee…
You know it’s impractical, not wise and perhaps in violation of all good mothering principles to place a gag on your children’s mouth at dinnertime. Even if you’re willing to make a small slit to let the food get in – as much as you may want to, this drastic measure seems to rank too high on the “things a mom should never do” scale to make it practical.
What’s an all- talked- out mom supposed to do? In those moments when you’re desperately seeking quiet, it’s time to encourage your kids to play the Quiet Game. What??? The Quiet Game? A game where no one is allowed to talk? Where has this been all my life!
Originally born from a car ride of non-stop bickering, blabbing and bad behavior from hell, the Quiet Game has been a lifesaver on numerous occasions. The rules are simple and no equipment is needed. Here’s how it goes:
Rule#1– In a moment of exasperation or calculated mischievousness you announce (or shout as the case may be), “I call Quiet Game”
Rule #2– In an ideal world your children will immediately sit up straight and stop talking. In the real world, or at least at my family table- the negotiations begin- If I play along, what do I get if I win-
Rule #3– Make the bribe, oops, I mean decide on the prize at the onset. Something simple. Something you don’t actually have to prepare or get yourself. Depending on the age of the players, the victor gets control of the tv remote for the night or can pick the next show, chooses the play station game or gets extra time before bedtime or can pick the movie to see over the weekend. You get the idea. Anything to make them happy and quiet that is relatively free and easy.
Rule #4- You’ll probably need to make up some rules on the spot. Things like no touching your siblings, do noises count or does talking mean only words (groans, snickers?). Be flexible. Remember, you still want this to be a fun meal. Silly faces, doing disgusting things with one’s food to make someone laugh (and you yell- which may or may not end the game depending how you play!). Set the ground rules but be ready to roll with the punches.
Rule #5- If the game ends too quickly, make it best two out of three or three out of five. Again, set the ground rules in advance so it doesn’t look like you are cheating and just don’t want anyone to talk which of course is the whole point of the game!
Rule #6- Ready, Set, Quiet!
Don’t expect the game to last long. It never does. That’s not really the point. Somewhere along the line one of your kids will do something stupid enough to make someone laugh. Guaranteed. Hopefully that someone is you. Before you know it, little smirks will lead to laughter and your spirit will be refreshed. Now it’s time to let the evening fun begin. 
What do you do to get your second wind at dinner time? Let us in on your secret in the comments below. Smiles all around.
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Serve it up with kickass conversations with your kids. Repeat.
