Families . . . . Please Sit Down and Eat!

We’ve heard it over and over---the family that prays together, stays together. Let’s add one more message---the family that feeds together, succeeds together.

But are families feeding together? Yes! 61% of people surveyed in a Parade Magazine poll said eating together with the family is a regular habit at home.

Sunday is the biggest day for family food time according to 76% of respondents. It’s no surprise that 56% complained Friday night is the hardest time to gather the troops.

Despite the obstacles to family mealtime---both parents working longer hours and the kids off in a zillion directions--- there are 3 major benefits for the family that feeds together:

Family meals promote conversation.

Here’s a surprise: 69% of people surveyed said they look forward to family dinners. That includes the kids.

When your teen complains he’d rather not be with you, ignore her. Why? A Columbia University study shows that 84% of teens would rather eat with their parents than be alone. Don’t be taken aback . . . they do enjoy your company.

What do your children want to talk about at dinner? According to Parade Magazine 81% want to tell you about their day; 43% will discuss favorite movies; 21% talk about religious or spiritual issues. Those dinnertime conversations may be more nutritious than the steamed broccoli.

Family meals are for sharing ideas

I learned from the experts at Emory University that pre-teens whose parents share family stories around the dinner table have a greater sense of self-esteem.

Your kids need to hear the family jokes that are passed down from generation to generation. Adolescents especially need to feel they belong to your family more than they belong to a culture that is often indifferent to the family.

In addition, the dinner table provides opportunity for the kids to observe Mom and Dad calmly discuss family problems and how to solve them.

Family dinners create family unity

Sadly, there are households who allow the family dinner to imitate a fast food restaurant.

The children are treated like customers who need to be pleased. Everyone eats what they want; the older children grab their plate and run off to their bedroom to watch TV.

Any sense of family routine is missing.

Making everyone stick to the same menu is the best thing you could do for your kids.

Sitting down at the family table includes learning to eat what Mom puts before you. Avoid discussion about the fact your son doesn’t like mashed potatoes. Either eat it or don’t eat.

A great idea is to get the kids involved in cooking the meal. If they help mash the potatoes, they’ll eat them.

Robin Fox, an anthropologist at Rutgers University said in Time Magazine, “A meal is about civilizing children.”

In other words, family meals provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to teach table manners: when to get up from the table; how to ask for food to be passed to you; controlling the burping; and not eating until grace is said or until everyone is seated.

For a helpful blogs on “civilizing your family” at mealtime check out DinnerwithDad and The Power of Family Meals.

John
Email: johnsblog@teshmedia.com