A survey commissioned by Hormel Foods shows that families still think it's important to eat meals together.

Eighty-six percent said eating together as a family is extremely or very important. About 75 percent said it is important to spend time together after dinner as well, doing activities such as playing games, watching TV or riding bikes.

Fewer parents see the benefit in shared work, however. Only 56 percent said it is extremely or very important for the family to take turns preparing or cleaning up after dinner.

Creative ways with art

Most kids have a talent for making art. Lots of art. Family Fun magazine offers these creative ways to preserve the art (or at least the memory):

Cover an entire garage , basement, stairwell, mud room or laundry room wall with your kids' collection.

Hang artwork around the top of the walls in your child's room, much like a personalized wallpaper border.

Hold an art exhibit and sale. Invite close friends and relatives. Consider donating the proceeds to charity.

Once a year, videotape each child describing his favorite artworks or school projects from the past year. (Use a different tape for each child.) Afterward, decide which pieces to keep and which to toss. Since there's a record of them, you may be able to eliminate the majority. Another benefit: You get to hear the story behind each piece.

Knight Ridder Newspapers