Cooking Together Nourishes Families
Most people know that sharing dinner as a family is associated with positive mental and physical health outcomes for children of all ages. To be happy, humans need a sense of belonging, and there’s nothing like the warm experience of sharing a meal to remind children that they have a home.
The more often families get together around the dinner table, the greater the number of benefits: better grades, better choices regarding sex and substance use, less depression, higher self-esteem and better resilience.
Conversely, children and teens who had two or fewer family dinners a week were 1.5 times more likely to smoke and use drugs or alcohol.
Plus, it’s not only about the food!
Making dinner together is a wonderful bonding experience for the whole family.
The ritual of preparing meals and eating together in a friendly atmosphere strengthens families.
Not only does this time have the benefit of keeping everyone connected, it allows the opportunity to share stories and experiences, and to talk about family history.
Share your memories of school, summer vacation, different relatives and friends. Children who know the stories of where they came from have a greater sense of self and feel more deeply connected to the greater world.
Make a commitment to break bread together with your family and keep these ideas in mind:
- Talk with them about how you would like to enjoy more meals together.
- Ask for suggestions on menus.
- If dinner doesn’t work for your busy crew, try breakfast or brunch on Sundays.
- Work together to create a menu.
- Encourage participation for every age:
- Young children can tear lettuce for salad and pour or add measured ingredients.
- Older children can chop, peel, measure and use the stove and oven with supervision.
- Teens and tweens might enjoy a time or ingredient challenge with “What’s in the Pantry?” like the TV show Iron Chef.
- Anyone can set the table, put out place cards, or spread a blanket on the family room floor.
- Put dinner on the calendar and keep that time sacred.
Other ideas to boost your success:
- Add music – and let your children choose it.
- Allow plenty of time… rushing takes the fun out of it.
- Keep your own good sense of humor. Spills will happen, yes, but they can make good stories and create fun memories.
- Sometimes it might not all come together. Keep trying. Over the months and years your efforts will be rewarded.
- Start small… even once a week is enough. And have fun!
Dr. Lesley Iwinski is the mother of three grown children, a family physician and owner of Growing Peaceful Families, LLC. She offers classes, workshops and seminars.
Info: (859) 333-3053 or www.growingpeacefulfamilies.com.
Need some dinner time inspiration? This month we are giving away two copies of “Eat at Home Tonight,” a cookbook of simple recipes for busy families written by Lexington’s Tiffany King. To enter, visit: www.lexingtonfamily.com/eatathome