Family Dinners

With many states issuing “shelter-in-place” orders, more households may be able to engage in shared meals, which have psychological, emotional and nutritional benefits including greater resilience, higher self-esteem and the modeling of healthy eating behavior and polite table manners. A Columbia University study found that teens who have dinner with their parents most nights of the week are less likely to smoke or use alcohol and drugs.

Regular mealtimes can provide a sense of structure and security in family members’ lives. To make dinner more manageable, cook everyone’s favorite simple entrees. Have family members help with the various tasks involved, such as going to the grocery store, preparing food, setting and clearing the table, and doing dishes. You also can ask your teenagers to choose music for the family to listen to during the meal.

Enjoy dinner without electronic distractions like cell phones or television. To make family meals a fun experience, do not discuss grades or other potentially stressful topics at the table. “What did you do today?”, “If you had three wishes, what would they be?”, “Did anyone read anything interesting online today?” and “Two Truths and a Lie” (three stories about your day or yourself, only one of which is true) are all good ways to encourage communication.

The shared conversation that occurs during household breakfasts, lunches and/or dinners furthers feelings of connection and the development of empathy and understanding. In addition, family mealtimes provide children and adolescents with the chance to talk to their parents about what may be bothering them.

Youth who eat dinner with their parents spend a greater amount of time on their homework and are more likely to read for pleasure. In addition, teens who regularly engage in family meals typically have better relationships with their parents and siblings and are less likely to experience anxiety and depression.