The Importance of Family Dinner

Although it only seems like dinner, the truth is that many studies have been conducted about the value associated with family dinner.  In fact, the benefits that have been identified from families taking time to eat dinner together are astounding and should be encouraging for people around the country to make this time a priority.  Interestingly, if you were to look back 20 years, it would have been rare for a family not to spend time around the dinner table but as lives have become increasingly hectic, this one event has fallen by the way side.

Keep in mind, family dinner is not only about nurturing the body with healthy food choices but more importantly, a time of nurturing the mind while building a strong family tie.  While sitting around the table, family members of all ages have the wonderful opportunity of talking about the day’s events whether about school, work, problems, or adventures.  Okay, so what have studies shown to be the top benefits of family dinner?

• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use – Numerous studies agree that as much as 60% of children who sit down at the dinner table with the family at least five times a week are far less tempted to becoming involved with alcohol consumption and/or tobacco and illegal drug use.

• Suicide – While this is something no parent wants to think about, studies also show that children who eat with the family at dinner time at least five times a week are 70% less likely to consider or follow through with suicidal thoughts.

The bottom line is that benefits of family dinner are staggering.  Remember, even if your child it not one to open up easily about struggles and challenges of life, sitting around the table and simply talking encourages that child to speak freely.  When this occurs, parents and even older siblings have the opportunity to listen and then provide needed guidance and support.  Even if your child prefers not to talk, just having the open communication that comes from eating dinner together will make a significant impact in the way your child deals with various issues.

Sure, trying to find time to fix dinner and then get everyone around the table at once when managing school activities and work can be difficult but it is so important that parents need to find ways to adjust schedules to make it work.  Even if this means preparing a box lunch and then eating together at the ballgame will be viewed as positive.  Considering all the benefits, it only makes sense to make family dinner a priority, increasing the number of times the entire family eats together as much as possible.

See Also:

Family Togetherness in the Kitchen
Sharing time with the Family