{Tuesday's Tip} Sit Down & Eat

Having dinner at the table together is important for families to connect.

There has been a lot of research done on the importance and the impact that family dinner has on children.  Children that participate in family dinner are more likely to have good self-esteem, less likely to have early sexual relationships, and less likely to use drugs or alcohol, just to name a few.

Recently there was a study done in my home town about this very topic.  Over the past two years, the number of underage drinking has gone down significantly.  Part of this decrease in underage drinking has been in response to the Most Don't campaign.  However, the study found that when family dinner was held more frequently in the home that children were less likely to start early age drinking. 

Family dinner also helps to lower childhood obesity.  The primary reason for this is that families naturally cook and eat more healthy meals when they eat at home instead of eating out.  Also, families that eat dinner at the table are less likely to over eat.  It is easier for families to pay attention to how much they are eating (and listen and respond to their bodies) when they eat at the dinner table instead of in front of the TV or computer where they easily get distracted.

Family dinner is a time for families to connect.  It is a time when families can share with each other about their feelings and daily events; it is a time when everyone can laugh or engage in spiritual conversation.  These communications can be casual.  No need to preach or lecture.  Just be together and talk.

As you make family dinners a greater priority in the home, you will enjoy the benefits of spending time with your children.  You will make lasting memories and form (or continue) a great tradition that your children will (hopefully) want to continue in their homes someday.