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THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING TOGETHERTalking points for ADULTS#CometothetableNebraskaMost American families are starved for time to spend together, and meals may be the only opportunity to connect. Students (and adults) may need to set aside some of the time they currently spend on individual activities like playing video games, emailing and doing homework. Dinner is a time to relax, recharge, laugh, tell stories and catch up on the day’s ups and downs, while developing a sense of family.Scientific benefits:Over the past 20-years, researchers have confirmed what parents already know: Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members. For teens and pre-teens, recent studies link regular family dinners to: lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and depressionhigher grade-point averages, and self-esteem For young children:conversation is a more potent vocabulary-booster than reading stories told around the kitchen table help our children build resilience Regular family meals also lower the rates of obesity and eating disorders in children and adolescents. Time:Time is certainly one of the biggest obstacles to families gathering for dinner. Quick, easy meals are just as good as gourmet ones. The main benefits occur when the food and time are shared at the dinner table. Mealtime is one of the few chances for adults to unwind with children after a stressful day. Fun conversations and storytelling are great ways to connect. Absolutely nothing builds family bonding better than regular family meals. What is a family meal?As long as two or more family members eat together, talk, and enjoy one another; that is a family meal.Distractions such as TV and phones are not recommended at the table (try a no-texting experiment for a week or two to see if the conversation has improved).Even one positive dinner a week can be very beneficial to a family.In any week, there are at least 16 possible times for families to eat together— seven breakfasts, seven dinners, and two weekend lunches. A group night-time snack can be another chance to connect and laugh together. The goal is not to achieve a magic number but to make the most out of as many opportunities as possible.It’s important to keep expectations realistic. Toddlers shouldn’t be expected to sit for more than 10 or 15 minutes, and some may be done eating in five minutes. Teenagers rate family dinners high on their priority list. If a child does not rate this anywhere on the priority list, start by asking what would make dinnertime more pleasant for them. The goal of Come to the table NebraskaImprove the emotional health of Nebraska’s childrenHelp adults and children understand:The importance of making time to eat together at least once or twice a week without TV or cell phones = talking to each other. Encourage participation in family or group mealtime through social media (hash tagging photos) and community engagement (public awareness)Talking points adapted from: by Anne Fishel, Ph.D . Fishel is a co-founder of The Family Dinner Project and a clinical psychologist, teacher, author, and family therapist. ................
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