Life is about to get busy. Evenings filled with homework and activities are just beginning. It can be hectic. In this chaos, it is important for families to take a break from the business and share a meal together. According to Dr. Anne Fishel, family dinners are nourishing to a child's mind, body and spirit.
Research has shown that young children who routinely share family dinner have stronger, more diverse vocabularies than those who do not. Research has also found that nightly family dinners are a strong indicator for high academic performance in older children. Family dinner is also associated with lower rates of depression and suicide, smoking, binge drinking, marijuana use, violence, school problems, eating disorders and sexual activity. However, all these benefits go out the window if the TV is on during family dinner or if everyone is eating at different times throughout the night.
To read more about the value of family dinners, click here.