Family Meals a time to Talk, Listen, and Connect

It is that time of the year again, the outdoor activities are starting to wrap up, and everyone is moving indoors. As we move indoors, one of the activities we should all consider having is a family meal together. Eventhough it may be tricky to get the whole family together for dinner with varying schedules, but family meals are important. Here's why family meals matter:

• Studies have shown that family meals can reduce substance abuse and obesity rates in teens. Teens who eat meals with their family also felt more connected with their family.                                                         
•  Mealtime can be an opportunity to talk, listen, and connect as a family. With this in mind, try to make mealtime pleasant and perhaps even fun. The Family Dinner Project is a great resource for conversation starters and dinner games. Save the homework discussion for later.

• If schedules are tight, try connecting as a family at breakfast or brunch on the weekend. There is no set amount of nights or times you should eat together as a family.                                                                                                                           
• If cooking meals is a chore, check out The Real Happy Hour’s Pinterest page for quick recipes. You can also get your children involved, this is another great time to talk, listen, and connect with them!