Power of Family Meals : Disconnect to Reconnect

Have you heard about the Power of Family Meals movement called Disconnect to Reconnect yet?

Some weeks around here are crazier than others. There are days when we’re all heading in different directions with meetings, working on projects, homework, or deadlines. It’s not all bad. We do have responsibilities and fun things we like to participate in too, but it sure can leave little time to connect and catch up with each other. I have to admit that even our mealtimes can sometimes be overshadowed by texts, emails, or looking up some random tidbit that can’t seem to wait.

Our oldest is heading off to college in the fall, and our younger quickly following behind. Our time together is fleeting! As a mom, it freaks me out. So, in an effort to refocus our time together, without all of the distractions of the digital detours, we are joining in on the Power of Family Meals movement called Disconnect to Reconnect.

Disconnect to Reconnect is a movement to get families to unplug at the table. Power of Family Meals is encouraging families to gather around the table for meals each Sunday without screens (phones, TV, iPad, hand-held devices). We have a dedicated bowl that all of our distraction devices will be housed during our meals (silenced first, of course) so we can enjoy real conversations, connecting, catching up on the latest with each other, as well as individual plans and goals for the week.

Will you join us in the Disconnect to Reconnect movement? Check out how you can take the pledge along with our family at the Power of Family Meals Disconnect to Reconnect page.

I’d also like to hear other ideas about how you engage your family during mealtime. Do you ask routine questions, play games, or have other ideas to help to connect during mealtimes? Do share!

PLUS there’s a fun Twitter Party with fantastic GIVEAWAYS too on Wednesday, April 23 at 8pm EST. 

Check out details and RSVP to join the fun.

But first …

I don’t know about you, but one of our favorite family meals is breakfast for dinner, otherwise known as brinner. Pancakes are always a family favorite, aren’t they? And certainly worth putting down the electronics for too. Add some bacon, eggs, toast and jelly and it’s the perfect meal to enjoy with family. It’s hard to beat brinner for a Sunday night in my book. YUM! That’s why I’m quite tickled to share this giveaway from Smuckers.

One random winner will be selected to receive this really cool Breakfast for Dinner prize pack to create your own perfect brinner spread to enjoy and reconnect with each other.

The Breakfast for Dinner giveaway items include:

• -a Presto Jumbo Cool Touch electric griddle
• -a 7-piece kitchen utensil set with stand
• -Family Talk conversation game
• – Smucker’s Strawberry Natural Squeeze jam
• -JIF Creamy Peanut Putter
• -JIF Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
• -Folger’s Classic Roast
• -Hungry Jack Breakfast Syrup
• -2 packs Hungry Jack Complete Pancake and Waffle Mix
• -2 packs Martha White Banana Nut Muffin Mix
• -Crisco No-Stick Cooking Spray
• -Martha White All-Purpose Flour

To enter to win:

– Visit the Power of Family Meals and take the Disconnect to Reconnect pledge. Leave a comment here saying you did so.

For additional entries:

– Tweet this giveaway and leave a separate comment below saying you did so.

– Share this giveaway on Facebook

– Pin this post on Pinterest and leave a separate comment below saying you did so.

That makes a total of 4 entries per person. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway details:

Entries will be accepted until Monday, April 21, 2014, Midnight PST. Winner be randomly selected the following day and contacted via email. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to email to claim prize, before another winner is chosen.

Giveaway is open to US residents 18 and older. 

For more information about the Twitter party and to RSVP check out these details: Twitter Party Details and RSVP

The J.M. Smucker Company has compensated me to promote its Power of Family Meals campaign. As always, all opinions are my own.