Dinner and Dancing (Or, How Much I Love iTunes Radio)

By the time 5 o’clock rolls around on any given weeknight, I am usually counting down the minutes to bedtime, especially now that it is dark so early. It's time to get dinner on the table. Time to start getting the kids ready to wind down, bathed, and ready for bed. My eye is on the prize and that prize is some relaxation, or let's be honest, at least time to get the house looking like a tornado hasn't blown through it.

Everything seems to want to break down at that very moment. The kids start to get fussy when they realize I can't give them 100% of my attention. Of course, that's because I am attempting to make them a nutritious meal. My kids usually end up watching some TV in the morning while I scramble to get everyone ready and wait for my coffee to kick in so I try to limit it slightly in the afternoons. It's getting colder and colder, so sometimes you may not feel like letting them run around outside—or maybe that's not an option at the current time of day. So, in an attempt to lighten the mood and get some excess energy out, this is my go to strategy.

In an effort to distract them from their over exhaustion and discontent, I turn on the music. Now, I realize such a thing as the radio does in fact still exist. But, traditional radio does NOT have Kidz Bop Radio, Disney Radio, and anything-your-children’s-hearts-desire radio. So, usually after about 5 minutes of listening to whatever I want to listen to, I “Let it Go” and crank up the kid tunes. I kid you not when I say this turns their attitude right around. Even my two year old starts bouncing up and down. My daughter dances around me in the kitchen while I am busy chopping and preparing their meals and all is seemingly right with the world.

Maybe you already do this, but if you’re looking for a way to diffuse the craziness that is dinnertime, I highly suggest giving this a shot. You could even break out some pots and pans or musical instruments and make pre-dinnertime your daily music hour. In fact, this would probably work at any time of day, but it seems as though afternoons are sometimes the hardest to get through. Maybe some dinnertime dancing can help us all get through this winter in one piece!

DISCLAIMER: This article was in no way sponsored by Apple. iTunes Radio just happens to be the most convenient music option on my phone.