An easy way to get kids (and dads) settled and focused on family dinner: set the table. Quality time is sometimes found in small place settings. Which side does the fork go on anyway? A simple and creative way to engage with your kids after a long day! Brought to you by Stork Avenue. DadLabs ep. 429.

DADDY CLAY: Hey Dad, put your napkin in your lap and help yourself to a big portion of quality time.

I think a lot of dads get sucked into the idea that quality time is something you’ve got to make an appointment for. You’ve got to bust out Candy Land and commit to half an hour. But there really are a lot of activities around the house where you can spend just a couple minutes with your kids and it is great quality time. One of my favorites is setting the table with the kids.

I know most of you are already doing this but I love this as an activity with the kids. I think there are two schools of thought. One is you just hand them a pile and say “here kids, go at it,” and I love to see the results of that. It warms my heart when I come to the table and it’s just a four year old’s set table and all the place mats are askew, there are napkins everywhere and the silverware is all wrong and it’s beautiful. There is not a more beautiful table in the world than one set by a four year old.

The other way you could go is doing it with them. Show them where the forks and the knives go. Show them how to fold a napkin and yes, in my house kids use paper napkins, sorry, write me an angry comment. Fork on the left, knife on the right. Show them how to set up a pretty table. It’s a great chance for you to talk with the kids and that way the kids are invested in the meal and it builds some anticipation about the time you’re going to spend together as a family.

I also love setting the table with the kids selfishly because it’s good for me and a lot of dads. I’ve been at work all day. I’ve spent a lot of time with Daddy Brad. I’m stressed. The stock market’s down another thousand points and it is hard for me to put that day behind me and concentrate on my family and setting the table is a perfect way for me to put the day behind me and concentrate on the table, on my children and to engage with them and leave the day behind. I think it’s a great way to spend some quality time.