| Make family meals a part of your dining routine. | | | | each others lives. Dad has the opportunity to |
| Planning family meals together can reap great | | | | share his day and plans with the entire family, |
| rewards for you and your loved ones. | | | | rather than sharing it with mom only. |
| Because of the hectic lives we seem to lead | | | | Mom can tell the family about her day at work |
| these days, getting the family together in the | | | | and some of the new things she's learned and |
| same place at the same time can be difficult. | | | | people she's met. If she's a mom who stays at |
| Between work schedules, errands, and running the | | | | home, she can share the cute things the baby |
| kids around after school we seem to have less | | | | did... or a new thing she has learned at the class |
| and less time. | | | | she is taking. |
| Owing to the fact that we are so busy, it's hard | | | | Children have the chance to tell their family |
| to get together for a family meal. Sometimes it's | | | | members about school, sports, and friends. Young |
| just easier to stop for fast food on our way | | | | kids get so excited when it's their turn to share. |
| home from work. Even then, when we get | | | | Older kids may not show their enthusiasm, but |
| home... the family has a tendency to eat on the | | | | they want to share just the same. |
| fly. | | | | Opportunity To Teach: |
| Studies show that families who have sit-down | | | | It's a great time to discuss current events or |
| meals, that have been prepared at home, benefit | | | | new ideas. Family values can be strengthened |
| in several ways: | | | | though positive discussions. |
| Healthy Family Meals: | | | | Resolve or Prevent Potential Problems: |
| Meals that are prepared at home are more likely | | | | When parents sit down to the table with their |
| to be balanced and nutritious. Eating nutritious | | | | kids and discuss the events of the day... they |
| meals enhances the immune system so families | | | | have the opportunity to become mindful of |
| ward off illness. Children and parents have less | | | | concerns and problems their children may have. |
| obesity problems when they eat more family | | | | It's also a good time to become aware of |
| meals at home, rather than at fast food | | | | potential problems their kids may be facing. |
| establishments and restaurants. | | | | It's not advisable to discuss serious issues at the |
| Family Bonding And Sharing Time: | | | | table because your child may not feel safe in |
| Sitting down to a meal gives parents and children | | | | discussing them in front of others. For some |
| an opportunity to find out more about each other | | | | matters, keep the conversation in mind and help |
| and be involved with the everyday events of | | | | your child at a later time. |