Family Meals

Miriam Weinstein has written an interesting book entitled, “The Surprising Power of Family Meals.” The basic focus of the book relates the benefits of regular family meals on the health and well-being of the individuals in the family. With all the obvious challenges that many face in making such a practice a part of their family agenda, the arguments for doing so are most convincing.

Families that spend regular time with one another at family meals have better communication and children have a time when their parents are “available” to them. It is a time for sharing the events of the day, the upcoming responsibilities or obligations, the reminders about what is happening in each person’s circle of daily activity.

Weinstein notes that there are strong favorable results attached to family practices of having regular family meals including: fewer incidents of substance abuse in children who have homes where family meals are a regular event, better nutrition, fewer occurrences of health problems such as obesity or eating disorders. Even asthmatic children who share family meals have fewer hospital visits than those who do not. Children of kindergarten age who have regular family meals show higher readiness for reading than those who do not have that time with family at the table.

Meal times with family affirm and encourage children in ways that help them to be more resilient in the face of challenges and problems in life. Emotional stability is more favored in those who share family meals together. It promotes a stronger recognition of acceptable moral and ethical behaviors. It encourages faith development, and is a place for teaching basic manners and courtesy. It is an environment that sets the stage for all types of social relationships with others. Family meals matter because family matters and in the face of even the most challenging settings, that time and energy spent in breaking bread one with another is the place were life is well-spent.

Are you making time for family meals at your house? Do you set aside quality time to “be with one another” emotionally, relationally, and in the context of a warm and accepting provision of food and fellowship? If you are missing that in your home, consider making it a priority. After all, the point is not so much the mealtime as it is the priority of family time in genuine interaction and sharing. Meals are just the practical centerpiece for such sharing. Make a place for such in your life and discover the benefits. They are many.