When it comes to our children's nutrition, we usually think more about what our kids eat rather than how they're eating it. In other words, dining together as a family has become lost in today’s hectic work pace. Most families have both caregivers working and multiple after school activities. Recent studies have shown how important eating dinner together actually is. Researchers began reporting the benefits of family dinner over a decade ago, focusing mainly on how it affects children. Studies show that families who eat dinner together at least 3 or 4 times a week, benefit in many ways.
First, eating together helps families develop open communication and build stronger relationships. Children have better grades at school and are better adjusted as teens and adults, and the entire family enjoys healthier nutrition. It’s a great time to share the events of the day, discuss news and ideas and just be together and enjoy each other's company. Eating dinner together not only improves communication, it also has been proven to reduce teen rates of addiction and lessen teen depression.
During dinner time parents have better opportunity to show their children that they are the priority. Sitting at the same table and sharing meals is where and when parents can find out more about their children's tastes, what they like, what they dislike, and their everyday life in general. When parents have all this information they can better direct their kids toward positive things in life, such as activities and behaviors. Studies have also shown that children who ate with their parents on a regular basis got higher grades on average.
Sitting down for every family meal simply isn’t possible today, but trying to sit down together a few nights a week can help your children even when you’re not there. Later in the week we will give tips on how to get the most out of your family meal.
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