Family Day Discounts Available When You Eat Out With the Kids This Week

The Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition (BBCC) is inviting area residents to participate in Family Day today and all week long. Family Day — a day to eat dinner with your children — is a national movement on Sept. 24 that reminds parents about the importance of parental engagement in their children's lives.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) — which first launched Family Day in 2001 — frequent family dinners and family time are effective ways to keep kids away from substance abuse. According to CASA research, the more children and teens eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

"I love this initiative because it is a great reminder of what is really, truly important — our family," said Carol Mastroianni, executive director of the BBCC. "(It is also a reminder) how parents have one of the most powerful prevention tools right at their fingertips but may not realize it: that of talking, listening and sharing during a meal together with their kids."

"I know this can be tough with busy schedules but carving out the time to make it work is well worth it," she added.

For those parents looking to make a special night out of their family dinners, a number of Birmingham restaurants will be partnering with the BBCC from Sept. 24-28, offering discounts for families that dine in. Restaurants include:

• Max & Erma's
• Peabody's
• Salvatore Scallopini
• Zumba Mexican Grille

To access a copy of the discount flyer, visit the BBCC's website at www.bbcoalition.org or call 248-203-4615. The discount flyer must be presented at the time of redemption.

To learn more about Family Day, visit www.casafamilyday.org.