According to a recent article in Time (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1200760,00.html), Nancy Gibbs reports, "It turns out that when kids help prepare a meal, they are much more likely to eat it, and it's a useful skill that seems to build self-esteem." Statistically speaking, family meals eaten and/or prepared together protect children and teens from a multitude of pressures including: smoking, drinking alcohol, doing drugs, developing eating disorders, depression, and contemplating suicide. Sociologists have discovered that the more families make time for family meals the more the kids learn about socially acceptable behavior, earn better grades, and delay having sex.
It sounds like a win/win situation for everyone involved, but what if your schedule is so full of activities and appointments that eating together seems impossible? I completely understand how difficult it can be to set aside time to have family meals. Between sports, piano lessons, and homework it is definitely challenging for many families. I think consistency is the key. If you have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the car every once in a while due to time constraints it's OK. If your evening schedule is jam-packed, perhaps setting the alarm clocks a little bit earlier in the morning would allow you to connect with your family during breakfast. It doesn't have to be extravagant; cereal or oatmeal with fruit, frozen waffles, or peanut butter on toast are quick and easy and give you and your child energy for the day. Simply planning to share several family meals together each week has so many wonderful social and health benefits.
If you have suggestions or stories about family meal time in your house please let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas!
It sounds like a win/win situation for everyone involved, but what if your schedule is so full of activities and appointments that eating together seems impossible? I completely understand how difficult it can be to set aside time to have family meals. Between sports, piano lessons, and homework it is definitely challenging for many families. I think consistency is the key. If you have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the car every once in a while due to time constraints it's OK. If your evening schedule is jam-packed, perhaps setting the alarm clocks a little bit earlier in the morning would allow you to connect with your family during breakfast. It doesn't have to be extravagant; cereal or oatmeal with fruit, frozen waffles, or peanut butter on toast are quick and easy and give you and your child energy for the day. Simply planning to share several family meals together each week has so many wonderful social and health benefits.
If you have suggestions or stories about family meal time in your house please let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas!
2 comments:
Yea for meals together as a family! We eat together every night. We don't answer the phone, or have the TV on during dinenr...it's sacred family time. I love hearing about the kids favorite part of the day, and how hubby's day was, too.
Angela, That's awesome! I think it's such a great time for family bonding. We don't eat with the TV on either. I'm sure if we did, the kids would all be glued to the set!
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