Happy Labor Day! Did you know that September is Family Mealtime Month? Be sure to have a family meal together this Labor Day, and see what your family has to say about their day!
One of the greatest benefits of family mealtime is that those children who grow up participating in regular family mealtime are more likely to show positive behaviors like sharing, fairness, and respect as they grow into adulthood. Guess what; family mealtime can be ANY MEAL! If you’re all together at breakfast, but dinner is a rush because of practice, homework, or parents’ work schedules, make breakfast your family mealtime! You also don’t need to have a picture perfect table setting and fancy meal for family mealtime to be meaningful; picnics, backyard BBQ’s, and themed dinner and a movie nights are all ways to enjoy one another’s company.
Research shows that family members gathered around the table, talking about their day and enjoying a healthy meal, provide the following benefits to children and teens:
- A feeling of unity and sense of identity
- Safety and security
- Adult role models
- Memories for a lifetime
So what are you waiting for? Commit today to have at least one family mealtime this week. I’ll make it easy and even tell you what to cook! Try homemade Sloppy Joes.
