Family dinners; they have a somewhat nostalgic feel to them.
Remember when shows like Leave It To Beaver or The Brady Bunch showed family time sitting around a table reminiscing about their days? It all looked so easy.
Compare that to today with our ever-busy, non-stop world. It’s nothing but run, run, run.
Yet does your child need another activity? Do you really need to join another group? Or is it more valuable to take a break, sit down, and spend some time one on one with the people who mean the most?
It’s not easy being a parent in the modern world. And as kids age, it is more difficult than ever to find the time to make a connection. According to a Psycom report, the single best thing you can do for your teen is make time for face-to-face connections and simply be present.
And the earlier you start it, the more habit forming and acceptable it becomes.
Family dinners benefit in many ways:
Improve your child’s development
While we may be spending more time with our kids running them from activity to activity, talking to them isn’t increasing. A recent survey shows we speak on average in short bursts throughout the day, ultimately just above one hour per day.
That’s not a lot of time to interact and teach them all they need to know to be successful in this world. Sitting down to a family dinner each night ensures you have the time to interact with your child in an intimate way. Make sure it’s a digital-free zone - that means you too.
Have Better Health
When you take the time to sit down for a meal, you’re less likely to hit the drive-thru lane. That means you’re less likely to consume unhealthy food or sugary drinks. Don’t make it a chore; use it as a learning experience too. Even young children can help with preparation by chopping and stirring. And if they learn simple tasks in the kitchen, they’re more likely to become healthier over the course of their lives. It’s a skill that keeps on giving.
Cut Costs
If you’re trying to cut back on how much you spend each month, family dinners are one of the easiest tasks to add to your list. Heading to the grocery store means you can purchase items in bulk, and drop the price of the average meal down considerably. Learn to shop the right way, and involve your kids too. Stick to the outside of the grocery store, and stay away from the inner aisles that offer more processed foods. If you select your recipes before you shop, you can create a list that will help you save even more. Only buy what you need, and you’ll see the savings quickly add up.