The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in NYC found that the more children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. “Frequent family dinners provide parents a perfect opportunity to connect with their children, to hear about concerns or issues when they arise, to send clear messages about expectations and rules,” said Lauren R. Duran, director of communications for the center. She invites families across the U.S. to participate on Monday, Sept. 27, in “Family Day-A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.”
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Dear Grandma Lizzie,
It is sad how some families are so busy running to soccer and every other after school sport and event that they have no time left to have dinner as a family. They’re missing out on a lot.
~Grandma Kc
I am a strong believer in the family sharing the dinner table. That is something I miss as an empty nester along with not sharing my church pew with my children.
It is a tradition on Christmas eve to have a linen covered table to seat my entire growing family. There are 19 of us to date!
You’re right Grandma Kc. Sometimes it’s the simple, everyday things that bring us closer.
Grandma Shelley,
That’s a pretty big table!
Eating dinner together has been tied to lots of positive outcomes. I feel for families that are struggling economically, working extra jobs and working nights. These situations make it especially difficult to pull off family dinners.