Family Dinner Night
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tara Gidus, MS, RD, CSSD, LD/N
Remember the days when we used to sit down together every night for dinner together as a family? I grew up this way. Not eating together wasn't an option or even a thought. Mom made dinner and called us when it was ready. It was as simple as that. My, how times have changed.
Less than one-third of American families eat dinner together most nights. When we do sit down together, more than half of families say the TV is on during dinner. What kind of message are we sending when we have the TV on during the only time of the day that we actually sit down together? To me it says that you aren't important enough to give my full attention to.
When families eat together, the children are less likely to:
- Smoke
- Drink
- Do drugs
- Suffer from depression
- Develop eating disorders
- Consider suicide
They are more likely to:
- Do well in school
- Delay having sex
- Eat their vegetables
- Learn big words
- Know which fork to use
- Report less tension among family members
- Think their parents are proud of them
Even though this blog is about diet and nutrition, what you eat at these family dinners is not even as important when thinking about the emotional benefits to the children, not to mention the parents.
Martha Farrell Erickson from the Children, Youth and Family Consortium at the University of Minnesota offers the following tips:
Make dinner a special family time. Turn off the TV, take the phone
off the hook, dim the lights, light candles, and have a relaxing time
together. Or, if you prefer, engage young children in a creative theme
dinner like a picnic on the living room floor. Use your imagination
and choose the approach that suits your family best.
Focus on positives. Don't use mealtime as a time to criticize,
complain, or argue. Treat each other with respect and affection. Let
the little things ride; who cares if junior is wiggly at the table or little sis
dribbles milk? Save the discussions of homework and messy bedrooms for
another time.
Decide together how you can make high-quality family time a
habit. Are there one or two days a week that you all can commit to for
a fun family dinner? What do you need to clear from your schedule to
make that happen? And when dinnertime doesn't work, how about a snack
and a family boardgame at bedtime?
Permalink |
Email Post 
The Healthline Site, its content, such as text, graphics, images, search
results, HealthMaps, Trust Marks, and other material contained on the
Healthline Site ("Content"), its services, and any information or material
posted on the Healthline Site by third parties are provided for informational
purposes only. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical
advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a
physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice
or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Healthline
Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911
immediately. Please read the Terms of Service for more information regarding
use of the Healthline Site.
1 Comments:
At Tue Sep 29, 02:34:00 AM 2009,
Aiza Pearl said…
Ms. tara, i absolutely agree with you. the idea made me aware how vast changes have been lately, though i am not an america, the same thing is happening here in asia. i do love your articles. more power!
Post a Comment
<< Home