Over the past few years, many studies confirmed that eating dinner together as a family has great benefits for you and your children. To name some, a family that eats together can teach kids to eat healthy meals, help in improving teenage behaviors and increase toddler vocabulary.
Sadly, American families rarely eat together anymore because kids are getting busy with school activities while parents go straight from work to their children's piano lessons, soccer practice or stay late at the office. There simply isn't much time to prepare for meals and eating is often done on the run.
With that being said, most people find it difficult to get together with their families at the dinner table. Nevertheless, Anne K. Fishel, Ph.D., author of Home for Dinner: Mixing Food, Fun and Conversation for a Happier Family and Healthier Kids suggested that even though the family members have a busy schedule, they should always find time to eat as a family together.
This is a must since "dinner is more than a feeding station," it is where a family can turn a banal topic to a more fun and serious discussion. Hence, she shared all the things she learned from the past to inspire parents to gather their troops and practice eating dinner together. Here is the list:
It doesn't have to be daily.
Fishel said families don't have to eat together every dinner just to reap the benefits. Hence, if the members are too busy, then they can sit together for a breakfast or lunch. Whether it's a brunch or snack, she said it doesn't matter, the bottom line is to make a commitment where everyone can sit down and enjoy a meal together.
Try new activities.
"A family dinner is like an improvisatory theater performance," Fishel said to Parenting. Thus, families can try new ways of interacting with the family members. For one, the whole family members might agree to refrain from making negative comments while on the table.
Stay connected.
Fishel said, "Table conversation is one of the richest language experiences you can provide for your children." Hence, it is a great moment to ask the family members about their day as well as their plans for tomorrow.
Better ring the bell and invite your family to come to the table for a meal. It just requires a very small time every day. But yet, it will surely be invariably one of the happiest parts of your day.
