This letter was submitted by New Canaan parent and YMCA member Todd Gilbert.
The Importance of a Family Dinner.
We are a family with two working parents and two active kids. So between work and the kids' activities there is very little time for us to sit down and enjoy a meal together.
We always make time several days a week to have a family dinner. I find during these times the kids tend to let their guard down a bit. During these family dinners the kids tell us about school, friends and everyday life. If they are having problems we often learn about them over a family dinner. We also learn about the positive things that happened during the week. We can talk to them about dealing with difficult situations and compliment them on their good grades, etc. We always end up hearing some funny stories. The focus is not on TV, Smart phones, IPads but rather the family.
If the week is to busy then we try and have a family breakfast or lunch. They offer the same positive benefits that family dinners do and provide a little more flexibility for the working parents.
For additional information about the importance of family dinners and keeping your family substance free, visit www.casafamilyday.org or www.parentfurther.com
There are Family Dinner events scheduled on Feb 12, 19, 26 at Gates Restaurant and March 14, Outback Teen Center and March 22, New Canaan YMCA. Click here for more information.
