5 Reasons to Make Time for Family Dinner

on March 1, 2010 at 7:00 AM

Here's a question that often brings on a guilt-trip for most moms: Do you have family dinners most nights?

Feeling guilty yet? Don't.

Eating together as a family is practically impossible by the time everyone gets home from work, school activities, soccer practice, and who knows what else. But studies show that family dinners can have tremendous benefits for kids and adults alike...

Here are five reasons why you should make time for family dinner—if for some miraculous reason you can manage to squeeze it in:

1. Family dinner is good for kids. Study after study shows that children who eat dinner with their families, and thereby engage with parents on a regular basis, are less likely to:

Get bad grades.
Get depressed.
Develop an eating disorder.
Abuses alcohol or drugs.
Smoke cigarettes.

2. Family dinner is good for you. It may seem counter-intuitive given how stressful making dinner can be, but some research suggests that family dinners—namely, the time spent together as a family—can be a stress-reliever for mom.

3. Family dinner is a money-saver. Trying to cut down on family expenses? Eating together at home is less expensive than grabbing separate meals to go on the way home from the office or from ballet class.

4. Family dinner is healthier than eating out. Restaurant meals are loaded with fat and calories. Most home-cooked meals are healthier for your family. Plus, some kids are more likely to try new foods if they see everyone else at the table eating it.

5. Family dinner is fun. When else can you get the whole family together? Plus, it's a great opportunity to serve fun meals that your family loves but don't ordinarily get to eat, for example, Make-Your-Own-Pizza Night, Baked Potato Bar, or Taco Night.

How many times a week do you eat dinner as a family?

Sane Family Dinners -- The Day Ahead Strategy

Salad Night: Would This Go Over Well at Your Family Dinner Table?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: dinner, family meals, food, traditions

Comments (27)

suzieqmom

on Mar 1, 2010 at 10:10 AM

I am a big believer in this! A great tradition for all families!!

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FunckyMama

on Mar 1, 2010 at 11:49 AM

Family dinners are a great way to slow down and get to know what's going on in your kids' lives

jussy11

on Mar 1, 2010 at 5:26 PM

We try to have a nice sit-down family dinner at least 4-5 nights a week, especially on weekdays. Obviously it's much easier with young kids - won't be so easy once they're teenagers and want to eat while watching TV or using the computer! But hopefully buy doing this so much now it will become second nature to them and therefore easier when they're older.

Cafe Jenn

on Mar 2, 2010 at 5:49 PM

We eat dinner as a family almost every night. The only nights we don't are those nights that dh works late, but the kids and I usually eat together at the table unless I'm working then they get to eat in front of the tv.

Rhinomomof15

on Mar 10, 2010 at 7:45 AM

It is tough getting a family with 14 children together for dinner at the same time, but it is IMPORTANT! We serve famiy dinner at the table 5 to 6 meals a week (Saturday is usually the missed day!) We do Highs/Lows everyday {each person lists their high for the day, and their low for the day giving me an opportunity to hear what is important in their lives, and teaching them to listen to each other without interupting!}. We have Make a Difference Mondays where everyone shares how they made a difference in the life of someone else during the previous weeks. We do devotions together as a family (wonderful dinner time devotion books available from Zondervan) and we have a monthly dress up/candle lite dinner! We also have fun with holidays~ like for St. Patrick's day we will have green mashed potatoes, meatloaf made in muffin cups with middle hollowed out center and filled with corn after baking to be a pot of gold, and 3 brussel sprouts placed in shape of shamrock (LOL). I do this with all the holidays! Kids pick entire meal on their birthday too. We make it fun!! One of my favorite parts of mothering!

gerdesgirl

on Mar 10, 2010 at 4:48 PM

We have family dinners all the time when we are home. Now that the girls are old enough I get them in the kitchen with me to cook meals too, so it's double the bonding time. When I'm too tired to cook from working all day my husband kicks in and does it, so that we can still have a family meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

EAT

on Mar 10, 2010 at 7:56 PM

So true! Even if our whole family can't eat together, as many as are home at dinner time site down and eat. The main reason I write my blog http://www.dinnersforayear.blogspot.com/ is to help families get back to the dinner table one recipe at a time.

Fiorella30

on Mar 12, 2010 at 9:49 AM

I have dinner at home with my family every night!! well, my son is only 2 years old, so he doesn't have too many activities, I believe is VERY important to spend time with your family and share what you did during the day, plus is cheaper, healthier and faster than going to the restaurant.:)

Nonmember comment from db

on Mar 12, 2010 at 10:02 PM

I wholeheartedly believe in family dinners and strive to have them every night without tv. Sometimes its just me and the kids but if at all possible we try to wait for dad too. My kids are 10 and 12 and its been a great source of calm in many storms (of course sometimes the storms are at the table) but at least we always have this tradition!

bergmanmama

on Mar 18, 2010 at 12:01 AM

I was raised w/ sitting down and eating as a family. Thats one of the best traditions i have brought into my family. The kids learn how to eat properly, we talk about our days and spend time together. Thats important. the family time. we go out once or twice a month. the rest are meals cooked at home.