According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, “The more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.”
Eating meals with your kids gives parents time to engage their kids in conversations and offers kids a sense of stability. It shows them that, at the end of the day, you will be there to hear about their day and spend some time together. It doesn’t have to be a fancy meal, as long as you are all together, it will be a success.
CASA wants parents to remember that, even when kids are very young, just by sharing a meal, they are helping to keep their kids substance free. Family Day was launched by CASA in 2001 as a “national initiative to remind parents that what your kids really want at the dinner table is you.” It is a day to eat dinner with your kids. Pledge to take part on Monday, September 27 in Family Day and spend dinner time with your kids.
If you are unprepared to cook, or just don’t want to, but you still want to participate, here are some kid's meal specials around Columbus, OH for Monday.
- Texas Roadhouse has Kids Night every Monday from 4 pm to 10 pm. For each adult entrée get one kids meal for free. Also, Texas Roadhouse has fun kid’s activities, like Charlie the balloon artist.
- Gooseneck Tavern in Powell offers free kids meals with the purchase of each regular priced adult meal on Mondays.
- Smokey Bones also offers a free kids meal for each purchased adult meal on Mondays from 5 pm to 7 pm.
- Villa Nova Ristorante on N. High Street offers kids meals for $1.99 on Mondays.
It’s not the food that you serve that matters; it’s simply spending the time with your kids. Participate on Monday in Family Day, and then continue to spend meal times together. Because, while there is no guarantee that a family won’t be touched by substance abuse, eating dinner together is a simple tool parents can use to stay connected and engaged with their kids and their lives.
For more information on Family Day, go to www.casafamilyday.org.
Comments