Why have family Mealtimes?
How many meals a week, do you eat together as a family?
Statistics show that kids who never eat with their parents are 60% more likely to smoke and drink.
From www.family.samhsa.gov The facts are on the table: eating dinner together every night keeps the doors of communication open. It’s the time to find out what’s happening with our children and reconnect and show your kids that they are your priority.
Compared to teens that have frequent family dinners, those who rarely have family dinners are three-an-a-half times more likely to have abused prescription drugs or an illegal drug other than marijuana.
Girls who have five or more meals a week with their families are one-third less likely to develop unhealthy eating habits, which can range from skipping meals to full-fledge anorexia or abusing diet pills.
Parental influence and involvement is an important tool in preventing substance abuse.
Regularly sitting down for meal with your children is one way to connect with them and be involved with what is happening their lives. From www.focusonthefamily.com
In a research project conducted by Dr. Blake Bowden of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center, 527 teenagers were studied to determine what family and lifestyle characteristic were related to good mental health and adjustment. Dr. Bowden found that kids who ate dinner with their families at least 5 times per week were the least likely to take drugs, fell depressed or get into trouble with the law.
This factor was more definitive indicator than age, gender or family type when predicting a teen’s behavior. In addition, these young people were more likely to do well in school and to have a supportive circle of friends. The more poorly adjusted teens, in contrast, ate with their parents an average of 3 or fewer evenings a week.
In another study, done by a Harvard professor, following 65 families over an eight-year period, it was determined that dinnertime was of more value to child development than playtime, school and storytime.
With such strong evidence to support family meals, it is unfortunate that only one-third of U.S. families eat dinner together most nights.
If you need quick easy meals in 30 minutes or less go to www.pamperedchef.biz/lindaQ and contact me for recipes, cooking shows/classes.
