You would be pretty hard pressed to find a person who would tell you that having family dinner every night was an easy thing to do. (having in ONCE a week can be a dang hard thing to do!)
But sometimes, when I am struggling I remember all the benefits and that makes it a little bit "easier" in my mind.
Most research suggests that having dinner together as a family at least four times a week has positive effects on child development. Family dinners have been linked to a lower risk of obesity, substance abuse, eating disorders, and an increased chance of graduating from high school.
When you are eating dinner together as a family you are provided with the opportunity for conversation. This lets us parents teach healthy communication habits and methods to our children without distractions from smart phones, television, computers, and mobile devices. (Yes, we are ALL going to have to put our phones away)
When we are engaging our children in conversation, we teach them how to listen and provide them with a chance and a place of safety to express their own opinions. This allows your children to have an active voice within the family. Think of it as those dreaded family meetings that your parents use to call without all the dread and the lecturing.
Conversations at the dinner table expand the vocabulary and reading ability of children.
When you sit around the table together, family mealtime can allow every family member to discuss his or her day and share any exciting news or struggles or difficulties or even just have a voice in a world that seems so big and huge and not willing to listen.
Let all family members talk. Be an active listener and be sure your child learns to listen as well.
Encourage your child to participate. I can almost guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised at your child’s ability to hold a conversation and be a really fun mealtime companion.
