In episode 222, Prep Dish founder Allison Schaaf welcomes Denaye Barahona, Ph.D., LCSW of the Simple Families podcast to chat about simple family meals and mealtime with children, from a child psychologist’s (and mother’s!) perspective.   Denaye hears quite a bit about meal time and food in her work.  The idea of coming together at the table can help foster relationships and well-being, provided the family circumstances and season of life allow for it.  Sometimes, however, the dream of family mealtime doesn’t necessarily match reality.  Where you’re at in life, plus children’s personalities, often determine how families gather at dinner, and this can also be unpredictable.  Denaye suggests finding a different way to connect with your kids if meal time isn’t fostering togetherness in your family.   The Prep Dish service and prep-ahead approach has worked well for Denaye and her family, especially with support in the meal prep either from her husband or their nanny.  She often will use the Super Fast menu and not always complete the prep day work ahead of time.  Denaye also finds that choosing 2 meals from the menu and doubling them for the family’s meals during the week is the ultimate minimalist hack!   Connect with Allison: PrepDish.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prepdish/   Resources mentioned in this podcast: Get your free trial at prepdish.com/mpm for two weeks of free meal plans! Episode 338 of Simple Families: The Family Dinner  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-family-dinner/id1202569587?i=1000598521446 Simple Families: https://simplefamilies.com/ IG: @Simple_families