How to: Bring Back Family Dinner

It's so hard to choose the dinner table over the content that Marvel is releasing! After a long days of school, work and extracurriculars, it's easier to turn to She-Hulk's plucky story than engage with each other over dinner. Well, research shows that the easy option isn't the best. Again.   

We 're choosing to level up and carve out the opportunity to connect with each other by bringing back family dinner!

Why? 

1. Because I want to know my people. Studies show that eating together gives parents and kids stronger connections and a sense of stability. As for teens? Family dinner reduces behaviors like suicidal thoughts, depression, and thoughts of taking drugs.
2. By watching parents' healthy eating habits, kids are less likely to have eating disorders. Plus, they're more likely to make nutritious choices as adults.
3. Does your kid strive for good grades? Of course they do! The National Center On Addiction And Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that family meals at homes are linked to students getting better grades in school. 
4. Communication is key to so many aspects of your child's future. They can absorb and practice this vital skill first-hand at the dinner table.

When?

Finding time can be challenging! By accepting this reality, we're taking a huge step in making time for family dinners.

Sometimes parents work different shifts and kids have evening activities. Be real about how often you can all sit down together, and name that day, whether it's in person, via text, Owl Post, or whichever way you communicate best. Set the tone that this is a special day of the week to anticipate---even if the best meal you can pull together is Pizza Bagels and bananas. Also, make sure everyone knows that phones and tablets aren't invited to the table (and be sure to stash away your own device)! 

Now what? 

"Good." "I don't know." "I don't care." "Sure." 

Don't get frustrated when your questions flop! Sometimes these trite answers act as a placeholder while your child considers your question. Smile encouragingly, make eye contact, and give it a beat to see if they have more to say once they mull things over.

More silence? Shoot another shot! 

Get chit-chat flowing and learn what your child truly values with our list of twenty questions, including wacky topics like what they'd bring to Mars. If the conversation turns into a silly tangent? Even better. Click below to open a printable booklet to help BRING FAMILY DINNERS BACK!