In many research studies on family relationships, it has been found that family meal time together can have many benefits.
Family Connection- Having meals together as a family creates a sense of unity. The structure and predictability provides security for your children. It also provides an opportunity for everyone to share something about themselves and their day. It has been found that teens will share and confide more in their parents when they have routine meal times.
Positive Well-Being for Children and Teens- A national study of young children's (age 3-12) found that more mealtime at home was the single strongest predictor of better achievement scores and fewer behavioral problems.
The largest federally funded study of American teenagers found a strong association between regular family meals (five or more dinners per week with a parent) and academic success, psychological adjustment and lower rates of alcohol use, drug use, early sexual behavior and suicidal risk.
Better academic performance- Regular family meal time's help children do better at school. It was found that children and teens that have regular meal time together do better on tests, spend more time on homework, and read more for pleasure.
Social Relationships- Family mealtime help children, especially teenagers, feel more well-adjusted. They have better relationships with others and this could be influenced by the positive relationships within the family. Family meal time also allows for opportunities to role model good conversational skills that can be used outside the home.
Healthier eating habits – Children and teens that have family mealtime together are more likely to develop healthier eating habits, and this has been found to continue into adulthood. Your children are so impressionable and the food choices you make can affect them long term and help them make positive and healthy choices which may decrease their chances of weight issues in the future.
Make a commitment this year to have family meal times at least 3 to 5 times per week. It can be challenging but if you plan ahead there are many benefits this tradition can bring to your family. I still remember my father whistling when it was time for dinner when I was younger. We were often outside playing with friends. There was something very special about eating with the entire family. It provided structure, security, and many of the other benefits listed above.
Wishing you all a year full of love, health, and family connection!
Dr. Nina