Bring Back Family Dinnertime

The importance of eating one meal together as a family each day cannot be overstated.  It takes extra effort and scheduling to pull it off, but the rewards are great.  I'm reminded of the Scripture Galatians 6:7 in the Bible that says, "Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap."  This applies to the positive as well as the negative sowing and reaping.

Do you remember the wonderful TV series "The Waltons"?  Olivia and John, the parents, set great store by having all their children seated around the table at suppertime.  I love to see how the family prays before the meal, and even the children take turns praying.  Blessing the food and praying together is an extremely vital part of eating together.  Children are greatly influenced for good when they hear parents pray for them by name.

In my family of origin, my parents set an excellent example of eating together, and praying before mealtime. Many familes today may desire to implement this pattern, but face the daunting challenge of eating together in the evening.  Parents may even wonder if it's worth the effort.  I've put together an acrostic with the word S E A T E D to help identify the benefits of eating together.

• S ave money!  It's much cheaper and more nutritious to prepare and serve family style meals. 
• E tiquette and manners can be taught when eating together.
• A tmosphere:  keep the mood light, pleasant and loving.  Lead by example; try not to be critical. 
• T alk to each other; share the days' news.  Give extra attention to children and teenagers.
• E motional security is formed by eating in a pleasant atmosphere.  Stability and structure are created.
• D estructive behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and illegal drugs are curbed.

Even if you say you aren't a very good cook, the important thing is that you give your children and teens the important elements of eating dinner together.  Opening a can of soup and making grilled cheese sandwiches is fine fare when you show your children you love them and value their company.  Obviously, the earlier a family initiates this practice in the home, the easier it is to solicit the cooperation of everybody.  As you communicate with one another, you bond, plan, learn and connect as a family.  Value the opinions of every family member, really listen to what is said and insist on politeness.

Eating together also helps teach your children to become self-sufficient.  They can learn to help plan, shop, and prepare meals with you, the parent.  Some Dads are very good cooks, too.  Studies have shown that children do better in school and have better grades when they eat with their families once a day.  Sharing dinner together gives everyone a sense of identity, of belonging, of being cared for.  It helps ease the day to day stresses for everybody, especially for your kids because of the many challenges they face in school.

It may seem that the family dinner hour has slipped from American society, but I say it's time to bring it back. You will establish traditions and make memories that last a lifetime.  Families that eat together and pray together stay together.

Copyright © 2011 Elaine Beachy