Eating as a family
Family resolution for the New Year
Just say "No" to wireless, that’s my family resolution for the New Year.
Children and adults alike are spending too much time on the net. We should be getting together as a family to create stronger bonds. Finding time to eat together as a family and maintain a healthier lifestyle are the two topmost on my list.
Children who eat frequently with their families, for example, and actually sit down together at the family dinner table have healthier diets than those who do not. Studies have shown that children eating with their parents were eating less fast food, less soft drinks, and consuming more fruits and vegetables. What children eat in childhood and adolescence years determine their dietary patterns over time. As parents, this means we have to set good, healthful patterns earlier in life.
Family dinnertime also plays an important role in parenting. Having dinner as a family shows that parents are engaged in the lives of their children. It gives parents an opportunity to sit and talk with their kids, listen to their children.
As teens get older, they may say they want dinner together less often and want Mum and Dad to keep their distance. But at the same time, they often want the reassurance that their parents still care what is going on in their lives.
Not having enough time together with their parents is one of the most direct causes of delinquency in modern times. Children who never eat dinner with their families are more likely than the average teenagers to be leaning towards delinquent activities.
Children who continually have dinner together with families have better emotional health than others. These children were also less participative in dangerous activities, including drug abuse and violence.
In fact, children love meals together because they are always hungry. It is also comforting to them to have food prepared. They enjoy being part of the process. They feel competent; they feel ‘in-charged’, like they've contributed to something.
For some, dinnertime means mostly being silent. For some, it is continuous banter. There is no magic formula. But it's a good time for families to share with each other what they've been doing, what's been interesting, things that go on in the day, what they have been looking forward to. It can be about anything under the sun. It is a rustic yet simple way to communicate with your children.
Dinner together doesn't have to be every night of the week. Dinnertime should not be a ‘dumping’ ground for issues that have built up over the week. Do not reprimand children nor make conflict the main topic, or they will stay away.
Also, be sure to turn off the TV. Family members need to be able to talk to each other without distractions!
Just say "No" to wireless, that’s my family resolution for the New Year.
Children and adults alike are spending too much time on the net. We should be getting together as a family to create stronger bonds. Finding time to eat together as a family and maintain a healthier lifestyle are the two topmost on my list.
Children who eat frequently with their families, for example, and actually sit down together at the family dinner table have healthier diets than those who do not. Studies have shown that children eating with their parents were eating less fast food, less soft drinks, and consuming more fruits and vegetables. What children eat in childhood and adolescence years determine their dietary patterns over time. As parents, this means we have to set good, healthful patterns earlier in life.
Family dinnertime also plays an important role in parenting. Having dinner as a family shows that parents are engaged in the lives of their children. It gives parents an opportunity to sit and talk with their kids, listen to their children.
As teens get older, they may say they want dinner together less often and want Mum and Dad to keep their distance. But at the same time, they often want the reassurance that their parents still care what is going on in their lives.
Not having enough time together with their parents is one of the most direct causes of delinquency in modern times. Children who never eat dinner with their families are more likely than the average teenagers to be leaning towards delinquent activities.
Children who continually have dinner together with families have better emotional health than others. These children were also less participative in dangerous activities, including drug abuse and violence.
In fact, children love meals together because they are always hungry. It is also comforting to them to have food prepared. They enjoy being part of the process. They feel competent; they feel ‘in-charged’, like they've contributed to something.
For some, dinnertime means mostly being silent. For some, it is continuous banter. There is no magic formula. But it's a good time for families to share with each other what they've been doing, what's been interesting, things that go on in the day, what they have been looking forward to. It can be about anything under the sun. It is a rustic yet simple way to communicate with your children.
Dinner together doesn't have to be every night of the week. Dinnertime should not be a ‘dumping’ ground for issues that have built up over the week. Do not reprimand children nor make conflict the main topic, or they will stay away.
Also, be sure to turn off the TV. Family members need to be able to talk to each other without distractions!
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