How was your day, kids?
April 25, 2019
High school students are busy. There is no getting around that. Sports practices, club meetings, play rehearsals and jobs are just some things that prevent eating at the table each night. Whether it be getting fast food, eating in front of the television or just grabbing something out of the fridge on the way to practice, dinner has become much less formal as kids get older. However, the time spent as a family can be valuable, as annoying as it is to hear “how was your day?” one more time. Here are some benefits of eating dinner as a family.
- Family bonding
Maybe the most obvious benefit of eating dinner as a family is simply the time spent as a family. In all the rushing around between school, work and extracurriculars, kids may hardly ever see their parents. Eating dinner as a family takes a structured time to talk about the day and catch up with each other. According to Stanford Medicine, it is actually proven that eating dinner as a family can improve familial relationships outside the dinner table as well.
- Healthier food
On average, meals cooked at home contain more vegetables and nutrients like calcium and iron, and less fried foods than eating take out or a TV dinner. Also, family dinners control portion sizes. At restaurants, portion sizes are much larger than is recommended; therefore, people are likely to eat more than they should. Sure, everyone gets fast food once in a while, but as a rule, eating dinner as a family keeps kids healthier.
- Relieves stress
After a long day at work and school, parents and children alike can sit down to a relaxing meal and unwind. According to a study by Bringham Young University, sending employees home in time for a home cooked dinner made them more productive during the workday. After a stressful day, it can be relaxing to sit and talk about the day over dinner.
- Teaching by example
As kids get older, dinner can be a way to teach them to divide chores and help around the house. One person sets the table and one washes the dishes. Good table manners and good communication can also be valuable lessons to be taught at dinner time. By sitting down for a family dinner, parents can inspire their kids to lead healthier and more well rounded lives when they are older.
Obviously, not everyone can eat dinner as a family every night, but the benefits are undeniable. From younger kids and teaching them basic responsibilities, to teens and helping them communicate and to parents to help unwind after a long day at work, eating dinner together can help every member of the family.