When did dinner get so hard to do? When I was growing up (I'm 37), we ate together every night - we didn't go out very often for fast food (except for pizza every Friday) and even less to sit down restaurants. I honestly have no idea how my mother did it!!!! If I make dinner twice during the week, it's considered a minor miracle! Sometimes I chalk it up to disorganization (and sometimes laziness) but sometimes, I just look in the fridge and think to myself "I just CAN'T make dinner". So I am anxious to hear some tips too!

Crock pot. I would use mine more but our dogs are skilled counter-surfers and I'm always afraid that they will figure out where that delicious smell is coming from...

Maybe there is too much pressure to make "dinner"? I mean, I like to make nice dinners, but I'm also not ashamed to admit that we have Cereal For Dinner nights, PB&J nights, etc. I think it's as much about just being present and enjoying each others' company as a family as it is about eating a meal. I don't think for it to count as Dinner Together it has to be made at home. Sitting down at the table together to eat carry-out is still Dinner Together.

I'm 28 and growing up, both of my parents worked fulltime jobs, and my mom still came home every night (except Fridays - pizza night, but still eaten together!), made a full dinner and we ate together. Granted, my dad installed a small TV in our dining room, but all four of us were still together, eating, talking and watching TV. I'm not sure so much has changed on the work front - moms didn't just suddenly enter the work force - but I do think this incessant need to have kids involved in every possible activity adds to the difficulty of eating together as a family. If on Mondays Susie has soccer practice from 6pm - 8pm and Charlie has cub scouts from 7pm - 9pm, and other activities are planned for Tuesday, more for Wednesday, more for Thursday, etc., it's awfully hard to have family time. Your kid won't be a failure or a social outcast if he isn't involved in 10 different activities - maybe parents should limit their kids' schedules, freeing up more time for family dinners, which are more important than soccer any day.

The current issue of Baltimore's Child has a great story on this very topic. If your kids are home before you, you can give them some easy prep to do on their own, and then finish when you get home. And I echo the crockpot sentiment. In the busiest part of my year, I make crockpot meals probably 2-3 times a week. And menu plan. Knowing what you're going to make ahead of time makes it that much easier.

We always cook a fairly large dinner Sunday night, with planned leftovers that can be heated in the microwave during the week. Make a quick salad or steam a fresh veggie, and dinner is on the table in 10 minutes.