Over three decades of research have shown that regular family meals offer a wide variety of physical, social-emotional and academic benefits. While some of these benefits can be gained through other activities, eating together is the only single activity that is known to provide all of them at the same time.
Some of the specific benefits of family dinners are:
Better academic performance
Higher self-esteem
Greater sense of resilience
Lower risk of substance abuse
Lower risk of teen pregnancy
Lower risk of depression
Lower likelihood of developing eating disorders
Lower rates of obesity
Better cardiovascular health in teens
Bigger vocabulary in preschoolers
Healthier eating patterns in young adults
Although sports and extracurricular activities are good for your child’s health, wellbeing and school performance, you may feel stuck in a cycle of too many demands and not enough days to gather around the table as a family.
Trust me, I get it. Your family is busy with sports, after-school activities and different work schedules. It’s impossible to coordinate everyone’s schedules every night and the goal of family meal time may feel like just another commitment.
So what’s the solution?
First, don’t put so much pressure on dinner or believe family meals have to happen every day. It’s not about perfection or pressure.
Family meal time is an enjoyable time and everyone at the table benefits.
Remember, your family will get the emotional benefits of family meals with just 3-5 meals per week!
That’s three or more gatherings of the family around the table while eating any meal or snack – even if there is just one parent available!
The quality of the time counts too, so if you don’t have the time for family meals more often, turn the T.V. and phone off during the meals you do share and be fully present together.
We usually think of the evening meal as being the reference meal for a family to gather, but don’t forget about breakfast or brunch on the weekend before everyone heads out the door to go their separate ways.
Lunch can work as a family meal too! Find what works best for you and your family ❤️
One of our goals at The Well Balanced Table is to help families find the time to eat together. It’s much-needed time to catch up, reconnect, and find out what’s happening in your children’s lives. This builds closer bonds and you recognize potential issues your children may be having. Let us help you gather around the table!
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