Family Dinners
Many say that the family dinner is a dying American tradition. According to recent polls, they could be right. Only around half of 9 to 14 year-olds said they eat at least one meal with their family per day.
Psychologist Kelly Bynum‘s clients don’t even do that. “Only 50 to 60% of my patients eat together at all,” she said.
This is a sharp decline from past generations, and many experts are blaming more time spent on the Internet, watching television and in extra curricular activities. While these things can be beneficial as well, meal time is traditionally a time for kids and parents to talk. It’s a time for them to get to know one another.
Marcie, 14 years-old, agreed, It’s kind of a real clsose tome when we can actually just talk. It’s a chance to spend time bonding.”
Ideally, a family would eat together three times a week, Bynum said, but at least once a week is an absolute necessity, experts said. They also suggested that parents allow kids to take part in selecting and preparing the meal.
What Parents Should Know
Incorporating family dinners into a hectic schedule may be tough for many families on the go. Experts know that, but still contend that the effort will definitely be worth it in the end. For those families on the run here are some tips to help make the time they do get to spend together at the dinner table.
Experts suggested that involving kids in meal preparation and after dinner clean-up is a great way to sneak in a few extra minutes of chatter together. In order to keep the conversation flowing and positive, it is suggested that parents make sure the conversation doesn’t end up heated or arguementive. If a conversation starts moving in a tense direction, experts suggested that families agree to change the subject and address that matter at a later time.
Experts also recommended that parents will have better results if they ask there children specific questions rather than a more general “How are you?” question. It is important for families that can only have dinner together one or two times a week to make sure they make the most out of those mealtimes.
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“It’s kind of a real close time when we can actually just talk.” -- Marcie, Age 14 |
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Mom and Dad vs. The Tube Kids accustomed to grabbing a plate and running up the stairs to watch “Must See TV” may be bored with the idea of sitting down and talking to Mom and Dad while they eat. Experts said that if parents strive to make the experience pleasant and interesting, kids will likely grow to enjoy and find comfort in family dinner time. The feeling of family support established through that important window of time, will likely stick with kids well past dessert.
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Nutrition
Knowledge The phone is ringing. Little Billy is chasing the dog around the table with a spatula. Suzie needs help getting her science project to erupt. The clothes are wrinkling in the dryer, and the pot roast is quickly turning into charcoal. Are you the only one in the world with this problem? Experts said not at all. It is naturally a hectic time of day for both parents and kids, but it’s normal and part of raising children, experts said. It may be easier to order a pizza, let Billy and the dog share it while they watch Blues Clues, and head to the bathroom for some peace and quiet to eat, but corralling the gang to the table is well worth the effort, experts said. The quality time spent at the dinner table is a key part of a parent-child relationship. |
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Resources
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Ending the Witchhour (2000, Dec.) ParentTime. Family Education- www.familyeducation.com |
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more information on parenting issues contact us: Connecting with Kids |