One of the most important parts of my upbringing is centered around my family. At the end of the day, after school and work had settled, we all congregated to the dinner table and talked with one another about the day’s events. Not just on Sunday, but every day. However, Sunday is known as a pretty common family day, so where have our Sunday family dinners disappeared to?
People chalk it up to simply not having time and having other things to get done. The fact of the matter is, we all need to make time. Because one day, you won’t have those family members around anymore. Designated family time is so important.
Why family dinners prove to be so important
Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, a registered psychologist and parenting expert, has weighed in on the importance of creating designated family time by way of a family dinner.
Anne Fishel, Ph.D., a family therapist and co-founder of The Family Dinner Project, has also described the kinds of benefits that can come from family mealtime. “The benefits range from the cognitive ones (young kids having bigger vocabularies and older kids doing better in school) to the physical ones (better cardiovascular health, lower obesity rates and eating more vegetables and fruits) to psychological ones (lower rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and fewer behavioral problems in school).”
She also says that what’s for dinner doesn’t matter and that it’s the communal environment that is created during this time that matters and makes all the difference.
“These benefits don’t derive from a perfect roast chicken or organic tomatoes but instead from the atmosphere at the table — if there is conflict, stony silence or an intoxicated parent, these benefits do not occur. It’s critical that the atmosphere at the table be warm and inviting, that kids feel that it is safe to talk and know that someone is listening,” she explains.
With all this being said, it’s important to remember to set aside some time for your family, especially at dinnertime. We know you have work on Monday morning, we know you have things you need to finish before the week starts. But set aside a few hours time with your family and take a break from the stresses of life. You didn’t even know you needed it!
Be sure to SHARE this article if you’ll be spending this Sunday eating dinner with your family!
Eric says
The evening meal was supper, not dinner. 🙂
The kid says
See you know supper is important.
Eugenio Cutajar says
All that is claimed in the article is true and l agree with it. Unfortunately, in my case it is very difficult to eat together as a family. Only I have the weekend off because my wife and two daughters are nurses and my son is a police sergeant and all the four of them work on shift basis. While l agree with the article, there are families who cannot follow its advice. Eugenio Cutajar from Malta.
Jake says
Important for so many reasons even just once a week. #FamilyDinner
Renee says
It’s because women usually do the cooking, but they no longer have have the time nor energy because they have to go out everyday and do part of the man’s job for him. When will it end.
jacksays says
my wife blamed it on the women who rushed out into the workforce decades ago for “extra income” over and above what the man brought home. it wasn’t needed, it was used for extra things/luxuries/larger homes, etc. then the cost of living gradually grew up around that “extra” income and made it “required” – and now both partners MUST have not just part-time but full-time jobs in order to survive.
Steve Rogers says
they wanted freedom to take that part of the “man’s job”. But I find it amazing that they can’t find the time to cook, but they have the time to eat themselves obese.
Edna B Whitmore says
SUNDAY dinners when I was growing up was more like SUNDAY brunch…. No fried chicken for sure….Dad was always rushing off to practice golf, so MOTHER would make a nice WALDORF SALAD….or perhaps something fresh from the garden. She prepared big meals through out the week, taught Sundays school, so by Sunday evening, it was time for snacks after a Sunday afternoon nap and/or swimming or ice skating We did have lots of discussion around the dinner table, but it was made clear that as youngsters we were to listen to the adults and keep on eating. Prayer was a big part of that time together, and even though we said a memorized prayer, as we aged we were expected to say our own prayer around the dinner table. ++++Dad went to many Sunday afternoon golf cookouts and would bring home a stash of interesting items for me to look over, usually included clams, something else in shells, veggies and fish, etc..Yummy !!