Parents Talk: Finding Time for the Family Meal

Many of us have fond memories of dinner (or supper) time growing up.

Mealtime served two purposes -- to replenish ourselves after a full day of work or school and, more importantly, to share and reconnect as a family. 

These days, the family meal has become a luxury more than a necessity, especially during the school year when the kids need to be ferried to practice, dance class or any number of activities.

It can be downright near impossible on these nights to get a sit-down meal together -- one that doesn’t include take out and isn’t eaten in the living room -- but studies show it benefits your children greatly.

Compared to kids who eat together with their families less than three times a week, children and teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to get better grades and less likely to engage in a number of risky activities like drinking, smoking or doing drugs.

It can also curb eating disorders in young girls and give teens a greater sense of belonging and better self-esteem.

One of the biggest benefits to regular family meals is better communication. Parents know more about what’s going on in their children’s lives, and kids feel like their parents are interested in what they say or do. Experts caution parents should be careful not to dominate the conversation, and try to steer clear or topics that could cause arguments or some kind of conflict. Focus on successes and positive experiences.

In a 1994 survey of 2,000 high school seniors, students who ate dinner with the families four or more times a week scored better on academic tests than those who did not. Studies have also found that preschoolers whose families eat together have better language skills because they hear more spoken language and get more time to process adult conversations.

Researchers have found that when families eat together they tend to consume more vegetables, fruits and juice and less soda and fried foods. A Harvard study also found that children who ate family dinners more frequently had healthier eating habits -- even when not at home.

Despite all that, getting everyone at the table together is easier said than done.