Does mealtimes at your house more or less start with “Come and get it!” followed by everyone heading in their own direction?
For most of us breakfast consist of grabbing a fruit or eating instant porridge “on the go” while heading off to work and school. And yes, lunches are usually something packed, that’s if you have the luxury of a lunch hour! That pretty much leaves dinner – the most obvious family meal, right? BUT, with late meetings, sport and school activities all competing for evening-time; shared mealtimes have become an “endangered ritual.” Yes, in our hectic world, one of the first casualties is the family meal! But, it’s worth trying because … well, read on.
Here’s food for thought: Over the past 15 years researchers have confirmed what parents have known for a long time: Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of family members.
Recent studies link regular family dinners with many behaviours that parents pray for; lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy and depression, as well as higher grade averages and self-esteem. Studies also indicate that dinner conversations are a more potent vocabulary booster than reading, and that the stories told around the table help our kids build resilience. The icing on the cake is that regular family meals also lower the rates of obesity and eating disorders in children. What else can families do that takes only about an hour a day and packs such a punch?!
According to research – and the opinions of those who know -shared mealtimes teach kids valuable skills. This is the perfect opportunity to expand their world by introducing foods from different cultures and countries; of course alongside some of the stand-by favourites! Teaching kids about basic food preparation, modelling appropriate table manners, mealtime etiquette and social skills around the table are all necessary skills in becoming self-sufficient. So, involve your family in menu-planning, grocery shopping and food preparation. Pre-schoolers could tear lettuce and set the table while older kids could peel veggies. Teens could dice, chop, grill or bake. Teamwork gets the meal on the table faster!
By sharing each other’s high and lows family mealtimes foster warmth, security and love, as well as feelings of belonging.
Studies found that families who eat dinner together five times a week reap great benefits, but there’s no magic number, nor is dinner preferable to other meals. If pancakes on a Sunday or a snack before bed works for your family, do that!
So, if rounding up the troops seem impossible, start with establishing a family meal routine for one or two nights a week. Review your family’s schedules to see which days have the fewest commitments. Even if there’s no perfect solution, distinguish between essential and optional activities. When you give it some thought, you’ll find that few activities are more important than promoting healthy eating habits and increasing communication with your kids.
One of life’s greatest pleasures is sharing good food with the people you love. So, bring your family back to the dinner table and make memories to last a lifetime. Bon Appetit!
Source: www.lifetothefullest.abbot, www.huffingtonpost.ca, www.la-motte.com, www.linkedin.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, www.sparkpeople.com, www.vision.org, www.theworldoffoodrevolution.ie, www.psychologytoday.com, www.iol.co.za, www.huffingtonpost.com, thefamilydinnerproject.org, nortonchildrens.com, www.ag.ndsu.edu
