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9.7Family Tip - Have Dinner Together
9.7/10
116
votes
1/15/2009
How to improve your family relationships and your health by eating dinner together.
There are many benefits of eating dinner together as a family. When children are required to eat dinner with their families every day, they are much less likely to use drugs and alcohol. They are also much more likely to have high emotional stability. For young children, it prepares them for school. They are used to sitting down and focusing for extended periods at a specific time. Family dinners also decrease obesity in children and parents. Regular meals give your kids access to healthy foods. When you eat on the run, it is much easier to grab an unhealthy snack or stop at a fast food restaurant.

If you make a rule that dinner is every night at a specific time, the whole family will know it is important. If you require that every member of the family cancels what they are doing to join the dinner, you make it clear that family is a priority. This includes never skipping for a late work meeting or running off with friends.

Make sure to eliminate any distractions and focus on your family. This means, TURN OFF THE TV and TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!

If you make this a daily ritual you will get updates frequently from your family. It will be easier to catch problems before they become serious issues. It is also a great time to give praise to your children and partner. What are they doing well? By praising them in front of the entire family you are reinforcing the good behavior.

Never use this time to degrade or interrogate your children or partner. Use this time to listen. Make it a comfortable happy time.

Involve the kids in the food preparation. It can be a great way to bond and create family memories. Try cooking something outrageous!
To learn more about families, try reading Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know

1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (123 Magic) is another great resource.

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Here are some other related tips:
Ask Your Family How You Can Improve
Set Aside Time to Spend With Your Family
Read to Your Kids

Further Information
The Surprising Power of Family Meals
Family Mealtime- The Importance of Eating Together
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CommentsShowing Comment 1 - 4 of 4
1Check in with your kids
Use dinner time as a daily check in with your kids. Keep up on what they are doing and who their friends are! Use this as a chance to stop little problems before they become big ones.
Comment 1 On:Have Dinner Together
Added On: 2/22/2009 9:35:32 AM
2The Best Way to Make Sure That Your Kids Eat Healthy Meals
Eat with them. Show them that a healthy meal can be great!
Comment 2 On:Have Dinner Together
Added On: 2/19/2009 10:23:06 PM
3Important to show priority of family
Family meal time is important to show your kids that you think family is important. You need to make sacrifices in your work or lives to show that it is important to spend time with them. They will learn this and carry it with them to their own families.
Comment 3 On:Have Dinner Together
Added On: 2/7/2009 5:33:15 PM
4Gets Kids Home at Decent Hour
Dinner time is a great way to get kids home at a decent hour. It is all about momentum. When they are out, they stay out. When home they tend to stay home. When home they tend to stay out of trouble.
Comment 4 On:Have Dinner Together
Added On: 1/15/2009 6:07:25 PM
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