DadTalk

Family mealtimes are not just for Christmas

As the big family Christmas dinner approaches, we thought we would take a look at the value of having family mealtimes (not just at Christmas)

As the big family Christmas dinner approaches, we thought we would take a look at the value of having family mealtimes (not just at Christmas)...

They strengthen the family by providing opportunities for communications and building relationships.
(Focus Group Report by Nancy Lee, Nutrition Education Network of Washington July 1996)

Enable children to have longer conversations with parents, which can increase their linguistic abilities giving them an edge in the classroom.
(‘Using ‘rare’ words at mealtime can enlarge children’s vocabulary’ by Carolyn Sanford)

Are seen as a marker for other positive family attributes and play an important role in helping teens cope with the stresses of adolescence.
(Suppers on! Adolescent adjustment and frequency of family mealtimes by Bowden and Zeisz 1997)

Lead to better nutrition as you have more control over quality and quantity of the family’s food choices.
Harvard study pub. March 2000 Archives of Family Medicine

Enable children to adopt their parents’ attitudes to food and acceptable table manners.
Is Family Mealtime Important? By Leah Davies

Foster family traditions and help shape and give meaning to cultural heritage.
Family Mealtime by Elaine Bowen, West Virginia University Extension Service

Research data from Raising Kids

Take up the challenge & print an invitation for a family meal here

Read the DadTalk article on Communicating with teenagers