Family dinners are some of the fondest memories for many adults looking back on their childhood. The laughter, storytelling, and delicious food may have been underappreciated at the time, but looking back, it’s easy to see just how significant those moments were. More than that, these dinners actually provide benefits that can’t be easily replaced elsewhere! Of course, all of these depend on the parents and their behavior at the table, but the simple act of eating together is a great sign of a tight-knit family.
Mind
Believe it or not, eating together does much more than fill your belly and start some light conversation – it also feeds the brain! Research has shown that children who participate in regular family dinners (5-7 times a week) are much more likely to get A’s in school. Another impressive finding is the improvement family dinners create on a child’s vocabulary. Researchers found that it’s even more helpful than reading aloud to your children, although we still think you should do that, too!
Body
When family dinners aren’t taking place, there is a much higher chance of unhealthy foods being eaten. A diet of fast food and junk food isn’t going to treat the body very well, and having a parent that encourages their children to eat healthy is very important. Getting those fruits and vegetables is vital for a great childhood, and it simply can’t afford to be missed.
Spirit
The more time a parent spends with their child instilling positive characteristics, the less likely they are to get into troublesome situations. Eating together at the dinner table provides a distraction-free setting to discuss real life issues and provide insight to our children. Between morning rushes and days full of school and work, there isn’t much other time to have these conversations! Even when they get into their teens, it’s important to let them know that you’ll always be there and ready to listen.
Meet the Alabama Free Will Baptist Family!
We’ve been providing a family environment for children in crisis since our doors opened in 1947, and we fully believe in the power of eating dinner together! We aim to give the children in our care a complete, joyful family experience, and dinner has become a major part of that. Contact us for more information about our home, mission, and ways to help.