The Importance of Family Dinners

Having dinner with the kids together as a family daily has numerous benefits going far beyond mere nutrition. According to established magazine Reader's Digest, children who have dinner with their parents generally perform better at school due to more self-esteem and confidence. They are also more unlikely to smoke, drink, do drugs or get into fights. However, less than 60% of families are doing so.

Understandably, with our hectic jobs in this fast-paced world of ours, who can find the time? You do, if you follow a few basic guiding principles.

First of all, be committed. Put off that load of work. Postpone that meeting. Hang up that call and switch off that cell phone. The key is to be determined to have dinner together with the kids. Create a routine and stick to it. If you simply can't make it, just pick up where you left off the next day.

Flexibility is key. According to Dr. David Ludwig, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, "having a dinner together is the single most important way to promote good health and nutrition". You don't have to sit down at the dining table 7 times a week and consume home-cooked meals. Studies conducted by the renowned University of Minnesota have shown that families gain the same physiological benefits no matter the location of the dinner. Bring the kids to McDonald's, turn on the radio; it doesn't matter. A family dining together, bonds better.

Experts agree that family dinners are truly beneficial to kids in more ways than one. They give the kids time to converse with their parents, bringing them closer. In fact, kids are more willing to share information about their lives over a meal than if you ask them outright. So, make sure everyone has a chance to speak. Answer any questions they pose. Don't shy away from sensitive or difficult topics like drugs, alcohol and sex. Advice them strongly but don't reprimand them.

In conclusion, family meals are a must-have for all families. Don't wait; start eating dinner with your Family (Father And Mother, I Love You) today!

_{Sources: Reader's Digest, "Ending the Food Fight" Dr. David Ludwig}