Eating dinner at the dinner table, as a family, was one of my family’s traditions growing up. In many ways, it has shaped who I am and how I relate to others. Ever since our boy was an infant and he could feed himself, we’ve been sitting down and having dinner with him. We’ve done this even if it means eating dinner earlier than what we are used to. We keep it simple. We do a very simple table set-up (plates, silverware and paper napkins), put all the food on the table, say a prayer and eat! Even though this might not work for every family, it works for us and it is a time I truly treasure.
There’s a lot of research out there about the benefits of having dinner as a family. For starters, it helps children develop their brain. Having them around conversation boosts their language and their communication skills. In this technology-driven generation, it also helps them disconnect from the screens and engage with other humans, forcing them to talk about feelings, opinions, and emotions. This is a great time to ask our children how their day was, how school is going or what their friends are up to. I know a lot of families that take this time to talk about highs and lows for the day or maybe do family devotionals. I also know some families that use Quandary Cards as conversation starters. These cards claim that they are a fun way to get your child talking and sharing while giving you the opportunity to instill your values without lecturing.
Other research suggests that it helps with body and physical development. In an article for the website theconversation.com, Anne Fishel states that children who eat regular family dinners also consume more fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and micronutrients, as well as fewer fried foods and soft drinks. Also, the nutritional benefits keep paying dividends even after kids grow up; young adults who ate regular family meals as teens are less likely to be obese and more likely to eat healthily once they live on their own.
Finally, I believe it also helps us parents shape our children spiritually and emotionally by taking this time to speak truth to them and sharpening those values and morals that will get them ready for the real world.
As our family continues to grow, I am looking forward to spending more family time around our dining room table. It’s not always going to be pretty, or easy, or calm. It might not even happen every day but that is life: unpredictable. I’ll try to embrace the chaos, be intentional about it and enjoy the moments around the dining table as much as I can!
If you’d like to know more about the research behind the benefits of family dinners, Dr. Anne K. Fishel’s Food for Thought blog is a great place to start.
