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Poll

Dig In To Family Mealtime

If you're weekday mealtime schedule looks like it could use an air traffic controller, think about the lost art of family meals to open up family communication.


What's dinner time like in your home?  There are after school practices, clubs, meetings and committments.  It may take a little creative planning but try ditching separate, speedy meals for dinner together and strengthen your family.  Studies show that dinner together every night keeps the doors of communication open.  The dinner table is the perfect place to reconnect and show your kids that they are a priority.  Sitting across the table can help you find out more about your children's likes, dislikes and daily life.  It can also help you direct your children toward positive activities and reduce the likelihood that they will bend to peer pressure.

The facts are on the table:

-Compared to teens that have frequent family dinners, those who rarely have family dinners are three-and-a-half times more likely to have abused prescription drugs or an illegal drug other than marijuana.

-Girls who have five or more meals a week with their families are one-third less likely to develop unhealthy eating habits, which can range from skipping meals to full-fledged anorexia or abusing diet pills.

-Parental influence and involvement is an important tool in preventing substance abuse. Regularly sitting down for a meal with your children is one way to connect with them and be involved with what is happening in their lives.

-By eating with your children, it is more likely that meals will be healthier and more balanced.
 

Source: family.samhsa.gov/