Pin a calendar on the wall and make firm appointments in advance. That way, no one can skive off at the last moment. If your teenager is still reluctant, try encouraging him to create new family traditions - fondues on Fridays, an ethnic meal on Saturdays. Make a big effort on special days, such as Halloween, Guy Fawkes and religious holidays. Involve your children in the responsibility for preparing the food.
Younger children can lay the table and chop the food.
Resist the temptation to allow family meals to degenerate into moaning sessions, or to turn the table into a soap box for you or your partner. If your child steps over the boundaries, ask him to leave the table.