A family who eats together at least 5 times per week is growing their bond. In the past, meals took time to prepare and families participated in the preparation and then sat together to eat. As they ate, they spent time talking. This was part of their bonding experiences. It also aided in their health because preparing meals using their own ingredients allowed them to know what was in their food. As families ate together, they also tended to eat slower which aided in digestion and made them more aware when they were actually full and satisfied.
Today, the average family's schedule and the convenience of prepared foods and fast food restaurant meals decreases the preparation time as well as the eating time. Families are on the go and children often are eating in the back seat while parents drive. Food prepared at home often is prepackaged because both parents are working and getting home late, and often, the family eats in shifts. But this is a detriment to health as prepackaged and restaurant food is high in additives, sugars, and fats. These ingredients can affect immediate and long-term health and often leads to overeating and weight gain. And, the faster you eat, the more you ea,t as your body does not register how full it is immediately.
www.family-mealtimes.org states that family mealtimes "are beneficial to kid's physical, mental, behavioral, social and educational development." This site offers menus and plans for eating together and contains information regarding healthy food choices.
Research suggests that eating together gives kids an edge in school, reduces kids chances of using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, improves family communication, fosters more emotionally healthy kids, reduces fighting in school, and keeps parents in touch with their child's world.
Makemealtimefamilytime.com/ gives some guidelines for incorporating family mealtimes. It advises that the meals do not have to be dinner. Breakfast or lunch work just as well. Get everyone involved in the preparation, start the meal with a word of thanks or a prayer, turn off the TV, have positive conversation, and clean up together.
Remember, parents are their child's first teacher. What they gain from these close family times will aid them in their growth and development for their future.
If you would like to read more about child development, visit your local libraries in Vineland and Millville. They have a great selection of books about children and their growth.
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