Discover the Secrets of an Awesome Family Dinner

As parents we know that it's hard to always make good decisions concerning our children. We just don't have the time to read up on the subject of parenting very often. When we do it is increasingly hard to know where to go to get solid information based on research and real life experience. But on the subject of substance abuse Columbia University has done a lot of research on real life experiences and the advantage to eating together consistently.

At Columbia University is the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, which is dedicated to researching and publicizing that research to help combat all kinds of substance abuse in the United States. Substance abuse continues to grow and thrive in the United States and parents with teens who suffer from this need all the help they can get so the child can become a viable member of their community.

According to Joseph Califano, Jr. substance abuse is our nation's number one health problem and a major player in many social problems our nation faces. We need help as parents and CASA's website is a great place for solid, researched information that we can use to combat substance abuse in our families. CASA advocates on Family Day every year (in September) that families start eating together as a way of drawing attention to this problem facing parent's everyday.

Family dinners are a time when everyone can discuss intimate problems and be open and honest about the dangers kids face everyday. You will be shocked to hear about what goes on in school and the problems our educators face. I know I have and it has encouraged me to be active in as much of my kids lives as I can be. I volunteer in the school library, coach baseball, teach Sunday School and have been a den leader in the cub scouts.

Here is what to do and not do at the dinner table to get the most out of your interaction in the evening based on what has worked and not worked at my house.

The dinner conversation is a time to inform, discuss and listen but not a good time to scold or preach. Let this be a time when everyone can speak about anything without parents taking control of the conversation. Listen to what your kids are saying and ask them questions. It will make them feel important.

Dinner is a great time to remember the happy times. We sometimes talk about vacations we have taken and the fun or funny times we had on those vacations. This is important because it helps the kids remember the reason the family gets together is to have fun and because we are all interested in each other.

It is also a great time to compliment each other on a good report card, a raise, or anything that makes us feel good about one another. It helps to strengthen the bond and look forward to dinner together.

I have found it is a great place to share something inspirational as a conversation starter and how we can incorporate good values and ideas in our families everyday lives.

It is a natural place to discuss faith topics. I have heard doubts, joys and confusion concerning our children's thoughts on our faith. It also is a great place for older children to hear their parents reasoning for their faith journey. Don't be surprised if you learn something about your faith you never knew before.

The family dinner is a great place to talk about unity in the family. I know my wife and I have tried to drive home the thought that no one cares about our kids as much as their family. Sometimes they have friends that try and convince them that they, not their family, have the answers.

The family dinner should be fun. Allow the kids to talk about what is on their mind as much as they want while parents listen. It shows we care about what they think and that they can always talk about anything at home.

If you haven't all ready go to CASA's website at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

Source:

Columbia University, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, www.casacolumbia.org