Why Sit & Eat Together?

Sometimes it's hard to slow down enough to sit at the dinner table with your family and eat a meal. Yet, most people know how important it is. You've probably heard about the benefits of having dinner with your family. According to Brunilda Nazario, MD, WebMD, these are the top 10 reasons to have meals together frequently.

Everyone eats healthier meals.
Kids are less likely to become overweight or obese.
Kids more likely to stay away from cigarettes.
They're less likely to drink alcohol.
They won't likely try marijuana.
They're less likely to use illicit drugs.
Friends won't likely abuse prescription drugs.
School grades will be better.
You and your kids will talk more.
You'll be more likely to hear about a serious problem.
Kids will feel like you're proud of them.
There will be less stress and tension at home.

This is why our family is so adamant about having dinner together almost every night of the week:

We are able to eat healthier and more frugally.
We are able to all talk to each other, to dig into each others lives, on a regular basis.
We are able to have opportunities to teach our children manners and values, and responsibility when they are able to help with dinner and clean up.
We get to pray together and the kids are given opportunities to practice praying out loud.
I will never have to say, "I wish I slowed down and spent more time with my family."

So how can we sneak in more meals with the family?

1. Evaluate your schedule. Is there anything that we can remove to allow for this important time with your family?

2. Keep your fridge stocked with simple meals so you have less of an excuse to hit up the drive through.

3. Forget quality food and think quality time! Don't stress so much about the meal itself but focus on how you can engage your family. Most kids would rather have a bowl of cereal and sweet conversation over a fancy dinner and a stressed out mom. And easier meals means less clean up which means more time at the table.

4. Create a day of the week that is dedicated to family night. For example, Friday nights are pizza and a movie night or every Sunday have a picnic in the living room. The more fun it is for the family the more they will hold you accountable to keeping this night a priority.

How do you make meal-time together a priority?