Is Mealtime Important?
by Dianne Peterson
February 26, 2008
According to recent
surveys, less than half of the families in the United States
actually sit down to a meal on a regular basis. Yet, studies report
that family meals are strongly related to the development of
adolescent mental health and stability. A Harvard Medical School
study found that there are nutritional, as well as social,
emotional and academic advantages that occur in children when
families share meals together.
Why are family mealtimes important?
A sense of belonging and mutual trust is fostered when adults
and children eat together and enjoy each other's company.
Family meals provide opportunities for adults to model table
manners and nutritious food choices.
Eating together encourages adult-child communication skills such as
listening patiently to each other and expressing one's opinion in a
respectful manner.
Mealtimes provide a setting for moral and intellectual discussion
where family values are shared.
Since children thrive on routines, family meals foster a sense of
security and stability.
When children help with meals, they learn skills such as shopping,
setting the table, preparing food, serving food, and cleaning
up.
Family meals can foster family traditions and enhance cultural
heritages.
What can busy families do to improve their mealtime enjoyment?
KEEP IN MIND THAT IF YOU ARE TOO BUSY TO HAVE FAMILY MEALS, YOU MAY BE TOO BUSY. Plan ahead, think creatively, and make adjustments to fit your family's schedule. For example, you may want to change the time of day you eat together or have a picnic on a blanket before or after a ball game.
HAVE MEALTIMES WITHOUT TELEVISION. If your family usually watches
TV during dinner, decrease the habit slowly. Begin with one or two
TV-free meals a week and gradually increase the number. Limit other
distractions as well.
KEEP FOOD SIMPLE AND VARIED. Elaborate meals are not necessary for
quality family time. Serve the same favorite food on a certain day
of the week or month. To save time and effort, plan for and use
leftovers.
SERVE FAMILY MEMBERS THE SAME FOOD AT THE SAME TIME. Provide a
variety of food choices and refrain from forcing children to eat
certain foods. If your children are not hungry at mealtime, cut
back on snacks between meals.
LIMIT THE TABLE DISCUSSION TO AGREEABLE OR NEUTRAL TOPICS. Focus on
the positive by asking questions such as, "Tell something good that
happened today." Listen attentively and make sure the speaker feels
respected. Mealtime is not the place for criticism or rude
behaviors.
INVOLVE THE CHILDREN IN PLANNING, PREPARING, AND SERVING MEALS,
THUS BUILDING TEAMWORK AND COOPERATION. Listen to their meal
suggestions and try to make eating together fun. Invite them to
help create memorable holiday foods and decorations.
TRY PLAYING SOFT MUSIC, LIGHTING CANDLES OR USING FLOWERS TO CREATE
A PLEASING ATMOSPHERE. For a special treat, have a family dinner in
a quiet restaurant. Limit visits to fast-food establishments.
TEACH BY SHOWING, NOT BY TELLING. When you make pleasant family
mealtimes a priority, your child or children will more likely be
healthy, well-mannered and well-adjusted.
Used by permission of the author, Leah Davies, and selected from the Kelly Bear website [www.kellybear.com]
