My husband and I find “after dinner-walks” essential.

After stimulating family time around the dinner table, Paul and I extend that time by the two of us getting away and taking a walk together. Rain, sleet, snow, or even under the beautiful moonlit night, we take the chance to connect. Walking can help mellow out tensions created by the hectic pace of the day. It also helps us to become better lovers and parents, as we sort through whatever is weighing us down!

Yesterday was one of the biggest snowstorms we’ve had in years in our valley! Once again we had a dinner table full of extra kids – and lively conversation. Our question for the night was, “What is your favorite memory in the snow?” And then everyone around the Coughlin table got a chance to share their story!

Children thrive on stability and family togetherness. And it’s important that Paul and I model the importance of family dinners. Studies show that families that have regular meals together are less likely to adopt negative habits, such as smoking, alcohol and drugs.

Another interesting statistic we heard from our pastor today, as he was sharing important aspects of a healthy marriage, was that only 1/3 of American families eat at least one meal together per day. But of those families, 1/2 eat their meals with the TV on! I was shocked, as television can be so mind-numbing!

What has happened to the importance of mealtime conversation – or family time?

My husband and I get away for after-dinner walks quite regularly. Occasionally we’ll take one of our kids with us, so the conversations and communications during the meal can continue for a longer time. (Of course our beloved Cairn Terrier, Haggis McStitch, is always with us.)

We’ve even included our dinner guests on our walks, after a night of entertaining! It’s another way of bonding with family and friends.

Our magical walk continued last night in the snow – just the two of us. It really was breathe-taking – the beauty surrounding us. The neighbors were out and we even met some new ones (after living in this neighborhood for almost 3 years!)

It was pleasant and we came back feeling “refreshed.”

Does anyone else out there enjoy a good walk? Grab your spouse, one of your kids, even a neighbor or a friend, and see what it does for you!

(Photos: My sweetie and me in the snow; An after-dinner walk with friends back in November. We do not consider this exercise (he is a cyclist, I am a runner) – but essential “together” time!)