Families across the country will gather around dining room table this month for a yearly tradition. Unfortunately, for some families, this occasion is only one of a handful of times that each member eats together.
After my young cousin visited my house, the preteen inquisitively asked her mother, “Why can’t we eat together like they do at Terez’s house?”
I was shocked. My husband and I both came from families where every person in the household sat together, without the distraction of television or other electronic devices, and ate a meal. Today, we spend that time around the table to share our daily experiences, discuss upcoming happenings, and bond as a family.
Research shows that families who eat together reap many benefits.
Elvira G. Aletta, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, says, “Study after study shows that the more often families eat together, the healthier the kids are physically and emotionally. Kids who eat regular meals with their family are less depressed, less likely to act out by doing things like smoke, do drugs, or become depressed. That alone is a good enough reason for me to promote more family meals. However, the benefits apparently do not stop there. Kids who participate in regular family meals do better in school, are more confident socially, and delay having sex longer. Not just kids’ benefit, families who eat together are more likely to think about what they eat, and make better food choices. In other words, they eat more vegetables and less junk.”
It sounds ideal, but between dance class, housework, and homework, families struggle to get around the table together.
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., MPH, RD, and University of Minnesota professor, suggests that families shoot for gradual changes in the frequency of meals together, and try to look for simple but healthy solutions, such as pick-up rotisserie chicken, cut-up vegetables, healthy sandwiches, and soups.
Aletta adds, “The first step is to recognize that the grown-ups in the house have to have buy in. In other words, they (usually the parents) have to own that having family meals at least once a week is a top priority. Then have a family meeting and discuss with everyone that the goal is to have one meal together a week. Then brainstorm on what everyone can do to make it happen.”
With a plan and a little bit of creativity, families can eat together, whether it is for dinner, breakfast, or brunch.
Aletta says that not every meal with her family is picture perfect. They have eaten in silence and had arguments at the table. However, “more usually we are all sort-of checking in on each other, sharing what is happening in our lives, separately and together.”
A family meal does not have to be elaborate. It does not even have to be home-cooked food. The most important thing is that everyone is together.
Comments
I know the feeling
It is sad to say that my family has turned into one that only sees each other on special occasions, such as Christmas. It is true, a family can be seen as a business and when the business is communicating as a whole "families who eat together can reap the benefits. A family being together as one will work to excel and each will benefit the other. I believe that families should try to practice this technique of meting to know your kids and spouse and become a stronger family in the process.
Best way of building bonds in families
After reading this article, I tried to remember how my childhood was like. my family seems like we had meals together a lot especially at dinner. table. those times are the time I have had conversations with my family. Not only had conversations with them, but also I I have built bond with them.
Children in this society needs more attention from their parents. Therefore, having meals will help kids and their parents have good relationship.