Make family meals a part of your dining routine.  Planning family meals together can reap great rewards for you and your loved ones.

Because of the hectic lives we seem to lead these days, getting the family together in the same place at the same time can be difficult.  Between work schedules, errands, and running the kids around after school we seem to have less and less time.

Owing to the fact that we are so busy, it’s hard to get together for a family meal.  Sometimes it’s just easier to stop for fast food on our way home from work.  Even then, when we get home… the family has  a tendency to eat on the fly.

Studies show that families who have sit-down meals, that have been prepared at home, benefit in several ways:

Healthy Family Meals:

Meals that are prepared at home are more likely to be balanced and nutritious.  Eating nutritious meals enhances the immune system so families ward off illness.

Children and parents have less obesity problems when they eat more family meals at home, rather than at fast food establishments and restaurants.

Family Bonding And Sharing Time:

Sitting down to a meal gives parents and children an opportunity to find out more about each other and be involved with the everyday events of each others lives.

Dad has the opportunity to share his day and plans with the entire family, rather than sharing it with mom only.

Mom can tell the family about her day at work and some of the new things she’s learned and people she’s met.  If she’s a mom who stays at home, she can share the cute things the baby did… or a new thing she has learned at the class she is taking.

Children have the chance to tell their family members about school, sports, and friends.
Young kids get so excited when it’s their turn to share.  Older kids may not show their enthusiasm, but they want to share just the same.

Opportunity To Teach:

It’s a great time to discuss current events or new ideas.  Family values can be strengthened though positive discussions.

Resolve or Prevent Potential Problems

When parents sit down to the table with their kids and discuss the events of the  day… they have the opportunity to become mindful of concerns and problems their children may have.  It’s also a good time to become aware of potential problems their kids may be facing.

It’s not advisable to discuss serious issues at the table because you child may not feel safe in discussing them in front of others.  For some matters, keep the conversation in mind and help your child at a later time.

Bottom Line:  Set aside time for at least one sit-down meal per week.  It can make a remarkable difference in your relationships with your kids.

Til Later,

Kathy Griffiths

Insightful Nana

P.S.  Often we become over-whelmed with meal planning…. I know I do.   I checked into to this Meal Planning Service several months ago and found it to be a wonderful program.   I’m proud to be an affiliate.   It’s really worth your while to check into it.