Andy and I are working really hard to get our family around the table each night…
But why? Why is it so important to us to bring our family back together around that wooden sanctuary?
- Kids might learn to love veggies. A survey was found that 9 – 14 year old children, who ate dinner at the fa were eating more fruits and vegetables and not as much soda or fried foods.
- It’s the perfect setting to try new foods. My kids will barely sit down in a restaurant much less eat something other than chicken and fries. I would be less likely to allow them to get something they may not like and pay for it than serving it at home. I would expect them to try it and if it was not a favorite, I would not have to order another meal.
- You control how much they eat (portions). Restaurant portions are becoming larger than necessary. Often the kids eat too much and if they don’t eat it all, it’s considered waste. At home, you can start as little or as large as you’d like.
- Healthy meals mean happy kids. Studies have shown that kids who eat with their families frequently are less likely to get depressed, consider suicide, and develop an eating disorder. They are also more likely to delay sex and to report that their parents are proud of them. When a child is feeling down or depressed, family dinner can act as an intervention. You are more aware of how your child is feeling when you are sitting across a table and watching them for 30 minutes or so an evening.
- Family dinners help kids “just say no.” Eating family dinners at least five times a week drastically lowers a teen’s chance of smoking, drinking, and using drugs. Teens who have fewer than three family dinners a week are 3.5 times more likely to have abused prescription drugs and to have used illegal drugs other than marijuana, three times more likely to have used marijuana, more than 2.5 times more likely to have smoked cigarettes, and 1.5 times more likely to have tried alcohol, according to the CASA report.
- Better food, better report card. Of teens who eat with their family fewer than three times a week, 20 percent get C’s or lower on their report cards, according to the CASA report. Only 9 percent of teens who eat frequently with their families do this poorly in school. Family meals give children an opportunity to have conversations with adults, as well as to pick up on how adults are using words with each other, which may explain why family dinnertime is also thought to build a child’s vocabulary.
- Supper can be a stress reliever. If you take the time to shrug off the day, let your worries slip away and sit down to dinner with your family – you’ll probably relieve some tension and stress. Sit back and have a good time with your family.
- Put a little cash in your pocket. It costs less! 🙂
These are all reasons that we think bringing back the table works for us. Do you have any other good reasons? It would awesome to compile I huge list!
Uncover your table, make it inviting and bring dinner and your family to the table. It could have a huge impact on everyone sitting around it!
Enjoy and Delight in Your Family!
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Have any tips or tricks? Leave them in the comments below. I’d love to hear them! ❤
radicfulllargefamilylife.com 
