Tucson SPORT - September 2007 - (Page 40) FAMILY ZONE SEPTEMBER IS on the weekend. Once the family is together, here are a few suggestions on how to make meal time more enjoyable through sharing and conversation. Bring the family together and limit distractions: • • • • • • Eat at the table Shut off the television Turn off the computer Let the answering machine take a message Let friends and family know it’s family time Put the newspaper and magazines aside Plan ahead, don’t be in a rush Have children help with meal preparation embrace TIME FOR TABLE TALk » EATING A MEAL TOGETHER AS a family at the dinner table is an important part of nurturing our bodies and our relationships. Research has shown that parents who have dinner with their children at least five times a week are more engaged in their kids’ lives: they know what’s going on. Talking with your child during dinner or at breakfast can make a world of difference in your child’s life. For instance, children who have meals with their families tend to have healthier eating habits, like more fruits and veggies. We also know that teens who have dinner with their families more frequently do better academically and are less likely to get involved in risky behaviors such as using drugs and alcohol. Joseph Califano, Jr., former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, said, “One of the simplest and most effective ways for parents WHY IT MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE DAY By Dan McDonald, Ph.D to be engaged in their teens’ lives is by having frequent family dinners.” Of course in our busy lives this is easier said than done. The primary reasons parents give for not gathering as a family for dinner include: • Conflicting schedules: everyone seems to be somewhere else at dinner time; No time to cook: busy work sched ules mean less time to prepare a healthy family dinner; and Something good is on TV! • • Table Talk: • • • • • • • • • Keep conversations positive Take turns talking Ask about the “high points” and “low points” of the day Reminisce about what it was like when you were a kid Ask each family member what they would do if they won $1 million Plan a trip or weekend outing Talk about your favorite book or movie Talk about the day your child was born or adopted Ask each family member to talk about their favorite food or meal. • • So what’s a parent to do? If you can’t have dinner together, take the time to have breakfast together. If everyone is busy with sports, dance, or music lessons when dinner is normally served, be flexible and have a late dinner. Provide a healthy snack before the kids’ activities to tide them over until that late dinner. If you only get to have dinner together a few times a week, try adding a lunch together Eating meals together as a family provides an excellent opportunity to spend more time together in positive interactions with your children. For more information about eating together as a family check out this web site: www. makemealtimefamilytime.com. In whatever way you can, make it happen. Spend more meal time together. You will find it’s worth the effort. 40 TUCSON SPORT MAGAZINE | www.tucsonspor t.net http://www.makemealtimefamilytime.com http://www.makemealtimefamilytime.com http://www.tucsonsport.net
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