Mealtime: More Than Just a Time to Eat! 

September 2007

No matter your age sometimes it's stressful just to make it through the day. Jobs are stressful, money is tight, someone feels picked on and the kids' routines are like juggling a three ring circus! Hectic schedules and kids routines make it difficult to share the good things in life...an A on a paper, praise at work or school, or the opportunity to help another person.

The average family spends about 20 minutes together at dinnertime, according to Barbara Fiese, Department of Psychology at Syracuse University. Those 20 minutes offer quality time to connect, reconnect, communicate and interact as a family. A family meal can be a family share whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Family meals are teaching times as well. Parents can work life lessons into family meal discussions that include acceptable and healthy behaviors, social responsibility and volunteerism, and unique family concerns, such as handling responsibilities, teamwork and accountability.

To make your mealtime into a great family time:

• Tell your kids about what you did at work and ask your kids about their school day, school work, and peers.
• Tell your children about family traditions that have gone on for generation. Your family is anchor which can help everyone feel more connected and provide a stronger sense of self, identity and meaning.
• Start a new family tradition that fits into your family's routine. Your kids will be talking about it over their dinner table as parents!

Research shows that young people who eat meals with their family on a regular basis are less likely to get into fights, think about suicide, smoke, drink, use drugs or initiate early sexual activity. Use your family wisely. It's a great resource!

For more information or to find out about resources in your community, contact The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources at (201) 488-8680 or info@tcadr.org