Some of you who follow our daily dinner photos on Facebook may erroneously believe that we are all actually eating that meal, at the same time. Here is what actually happens:
- I snack and nibble and taste so much during meal prep, that I am full before dinner is even finished!
- TJ is always outside at the pond behind our house till the sun goes down, and I hate to call him in, because I like that he’s outside.
- Erica complains about dinner so much, I prefer to dish it up for her and then hide, rather than listen to her complain about what she doesn’t like.
- Wade walks in after work and says, “I’m not hungry- we had Brat’s at work today.”
However, family dinners TOGETHER are important! So, I will continue to set that goal for my family.
I believe it’s so important, that I’ve teamed up with The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia*) in promoting Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your ChildrenTM
Over the next two months, I’ll be sharing ideas and ways you can easily share dinnertime with your family. Then, on Monday, September 26th, 2011, we can all celebrate Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your ChildrenTM. by eating with our families.
So, I thought it would be appropriate to first list 10 of the many reasons eating dinner together is beneficial.
Benefits of Eating Together for Family Dinner
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- Families who eat together develop strong parent child bonds. Children are likely to talk and share things with their parents during dinner. (Source)
- Teens who regularly have meals together are less likely to get into fights or be promiscuous.
- Teens who regularly eat dinner as a family are less likely to take drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco. (Source)
- Children with families that eat together do better academically. (Source)
- Families that eat together generally eat more nutritiously, and children are less likely to be overweight.
- Children that are involved by setting the table, and clearing the dishes learn important skills.
- Eating dinner together teaches kids manners. Saying please and thank you, sitting still, chewing with their mouths closed, taking a small enough bite of their food that it doesn’t end up smeared all over their face (still a problem for my 12 year old) : )
- Kids associate having family meals together as having a more stable home environment.
- Having family meals together can save money.
- They grow up so fast, it’s time to make memories
So, get ready for September 26th! Set the goal today to eat more meals together! It doesn’t have to be dinner. Choose breakfast or lunch. The important thing is to be together during a meal.
Tired of thinking of dinner ideas? Check our Photos of our daily dinners, our free meal plans, or our Dinner recipes!
*Disclaimer
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as “CASA Columbia” ) or any of its member organizations, or any other organizations with the name of “CASA”.
