FAMILIES EATING TOGETHER

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1 SUMMERISATION All reports, articles and blogs have very similar conclusions, which are stated as follows: Eating as a family together enhances the family relationships Gives children stability Teaches children skills that they can use in life: manners, interpersonal and social skills Nutritional and more cost effective Family dinners became a natural part of family life family traditions passed on/started REPORT 1 THE BENEFITS OF EATING TOGETHER The Family Who Eats Together Stays Together By Beck Hand, (Dietician) Research is beginning to show that eating as a family has great benefits for your children. Try to sit down and together as a family 5-6 times each week (whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner) Eight Reasons Why 1 Communication and Well- Being Family bonds, plan, connect and learn from each other. Family meals foster warmth, security, love and belonging. 2 Model Manners (and more) Display appropriate table manners, meal etiquette and social skills 3 Expand Their World One food at a time Encourages your children to try new foods, without forcing, coercing or bribing

2 4 Nourish Meals prepared and eaten at home are usually more nutritious and healthy. Containing more fruits, vegetables and diary; as well as needed fibre, calcium, Vit A & C and folate 5 Become Self- Sufficient Young adults without learning the basic skills of knowing how to plan & prepare meals. To avoid this involve your family in menu planning, grocery shopping and food preparation. Improved eating habits come with ownership of a meal 6 Prevent Destructive Behaviours research shows that frequent family dinners (five or more times/week) can be associated with lower rates of smoking, drinking and illegal drug use in pre- teens and young adults compared to families who eat together two or less times/week 7 Improve Grades Children do better in school when eating more meals together as a family. Assists in higher academic performance in teenagers 8 Save Money Meals prepared at home can cost two to four times leave than meals purchased away from home REPORT 2 EATING TOGETHER FAQ By Anne Fishel, Ph.D The Importance of Eating Together Most families are starved for time to spend together and dinner may be the other time that individuals of a family have to reconnect. Do family dinners have any scientific benefits? Over the past 15yrs, researching have confirmed that sharing a family meal is good for your spirit, brain and the health of all family members. With studies linking regular family dinners to lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy and depression as well as higher self- esteem and school grades. Finding Time How many nights a week should families try to eat a meal together? Five times a week. We re just so busy. How can we find the tie to cook and eat together? Use strategies such as cooking a double batch of a meal and freezing/reheating. Use recipes or meal ideas that can be prepared in advance or put together quickly. Is it wrong to eat dinner in front of the TV? Meals eaten in front of the TV don t carry the same mental health benefits and interfere with potential meal- time conversations

3 Food & Cooking As long as we sit together & eat, does it really matter what we re eating? Feeding your family a nutritious food is better; makes your children healthier as they grow, encourages healthy eating once they are living on their own. How much help should I reasonably expect from my family in preparing the meal & cleaning up? Children like to help and should be encouraged to assist in age appropriate tasks. The families dinner experience will be enhance by more members contributing to the meal preparation, cooking and cleaning process, with no single member feeling resentful for having to do it all REPORT 3 WHY EATING FAMILY MEALS TOGETEHR IS STILL IMPORTANT Mealtimes are when children learn family values and families develop their culture By Lindsay Seaman Eating together as a family is more important today than ever there are more distractions, more choices of out- of- home activities, and more IT/devise use. Children are learning about the world around them from many sources, often with parental filters or input. Studies in the US, show that families state they don t have time to cook and believe that eating out is an easier ( quicker option). The variety and convenience of fast food is greater with the marketing of these directed at American families fast- paced lifestyle for the on the go at low cost. Approx. 20% of meals eaten in the US are done in cars. The benefits of eating family meals together 1 Eating together is more efficient, less expensive and healthier Growing/producing your on fruit and vegetables where possible. Meal planning ahead of time and shopping accordingly weekly or fortnightly (to avoid impulse purchasing). 2 Eating together teaches children food sustainability Table conversation can be stimulated regarding where your food came from; by growing your own fruit and vegetables children are able to learn the basics of gardening. 3 Eating together builds closer relationship within the family Spending time together over meals lets each family member touch- base with each other and what they are up to. How to change the family dynamic 1 Set a modest goal of two meals together a week & build from there Family dinners get better with practice.

4 2 Simplify food preparation Make additional meal portions to freeze and reuse at a later time. Prepare aspects of the meal in advance. A good meal doesn t necessarily mean a meal with 50 ingredients. 3 Turn off electronic devices 4 Get the family involved in shopping and food preparation Learning to shop wisely and food preparation are useful life skills. Children can help in the kitchen with guidance and direction with age appropriate tasks. Being together daily at the family table is an important chance to celebrate being a family, staying in touch, learning family culture, food and practicing social skills. Family meals are for nourishment, comfort and support. REPORT 4 RESTORING THE FAMILY TABLE By Marlene Pietsch, Box Hill (sourced with internet acknowledgement of Carleton Kendrick, Judith Blake and Becky Sweat) Sitting down at the table together as a family is one of the best ways to grow and stay connected. Making family dinners a priority may not be easy, but long- term benefits are worth the effort. Family Dinners offer a natural forum that fosters togetherness. Giving opportunity to share their lives and receive encouragement/support. Regular family dinners also provide children a safe- haven and stability. Why Eat Together? 1 Learning Children in families who eat together develop more extensive vocabularies at an earlier age & generally do better at school. 2 Self- Esteem Giving the opportunity to share around the dinner table, develops self- worth. 3 Respect for Others Children learn to respect others ideas and points of view through table conversation. As well as learning of valuable social skills such. 4 Stability Eating together regularly conveys family stability, security and identity. 5 Tradition & Ritual Meals together are a key way for families to pass on traditions. Also to create new traditions for your children to pass on to future generations 6 Better Nutrition Teaches healthy food attitudes. Involve children in food selection, preparation.

5 7 Faith Nurture Enables a child s faith to grow. How to Get the Most out of the Family Table 1 Get Everyone Involved From planning to preparation to clean up 2 Keep Conversation Pleasant Family meals aren t a time for discipline, lectures, arguments or criticism. Parents need to set the tone for the table. 3 Involve everyone in conversation The dinner table shouldn t be the place to catch up on the working day with your spouse, involve everyone from the youngest to the oldest in table conversation. 4 Pull the Plug Turn off the TV/radio and all electronic devices 5 Plan ahead to be together It may not be possible to eat together for every meal, but plan realistic goals for eating together weekly. REPORT 5 BOND WITH YOUR FAMILY Eat Together By Caroline Campbell Why Should We Eat Together? 1 Family Bonding Environment that fosters family conversation 2 Eating at home saves money 3 Home- cooked meals are healthier healthier range of ingredients, tailor meals to suit families nutritional needs and tastes, monitor methods of preparation 4 Eating at home promotes both learning and a healthy lifestyle Develop better language skills; increases communication skills such as listening and expressing one s opinion in respectful manner. 5 Eating together helps children appreciate family tradition Helps to shape and give lasting meaning to cultural heritage. How can we eat together? 1 Making eating dinner together a priority 2 Be flexible in adjusting dinner time Be open to flexibility if one- off scheduling conflicts arise. 3 Plan ahead to increase convenience Planning ahead can often make meal preparation more convenient

6 4 Keep meals simple Keep meals simple and easy to prepare, saving more elaborate menus for rarer/ special occasions when you have the time to spend on preparation. 5 Involve family members in meal preparation By helping in the kitchen, children learn what it takes to make a meal and that it s a priority in the family 6 Turn off the TV, let the machine get the phone Make sure that dinner time belongs only to you and those sitting around the dinner table. Nothing is that important that it can t wait til after dinner. 7 Keep an upbeat atmosphere Make it enjoyable, with positive conversation, expressions of love and moments shared. 8 Teach by Example Begin having dinner together before you have children, so that when children are added to your family the routine is already an expected part of family life.