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Spend Family Time at the TableI remember Mom making dinner a priority for our family of nine! Each of us had something special to contribute to the dinner ritual, whether setting the table, helping in the kitchen or taking food to the table. Dinner always brought us together so we could talk about our day and stay connected.
I know, the thought of preparing dinner after a long day at work and running the kids to and from after-school activities can be overwhelming. The average family spends only 10 minutes for dinner time and only 1 in 3 families eat together nightly!
Research shows one of the best ways to help your child eat healthier, get better grades, and reduce the temptation of using drugs or alcohol by 50% is to eat together! Here are some tips for dinner time with your family:
Make a commitment to eating together at least 4 nights each week. According to a study done by the University of Michigan, if the family eats dinner together 5 times a week, the chances of your kid getting an "A" on his report card goes up 50%.
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| If the family eats dinner together 5 times a week, the chances of your kid getting an "A" on his report card goes up 50%. |
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Don't do all the work yourself. Studies show that when kids are involved in putting a meal together, they not only enjoy it more, they eat healthier and they're more talkative at the table.
Turn off the television, cell phones, computer and video games. Talk to each other! Start by asking open-ended questions like, "What was the best thing that happened to you today?"
Try eating something new. Get your kids involved with planning a meal by trying a new vegetable or casserole they want. See www.momsmenu.com or www.kaboose.com for fun and easy recipes that the family could choose together.
Make the most of your family dinner: Don't scold, criticize, tease, or climb on a soapbox. Treat your family as respectfully and carefully as you'd like to be treated. You'll be surprised how fast their behavior will start to mirror yours.
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