Frequent Family Dinners vs. Teen Problems - -Zhayriel Mae D. Tabinas

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DID you know that sharing meal times as a family is good for kids? Family meal time is the glue that holds busy families together----- photo from Google

             Studies show that family dinners are important for a healthy lifestyle. Not just in physical aspects, but also in intellectual, spiritual and emotional aspects.

             Based on research, most those teenagers who indulge in prohibited drugs, crimes, smoking and pre-marital sex are those which were not given enough attention by their parents. Those mentioned above are the problems encountered by teenagers today.

        Researchers say that when families dine together, they eat  more vegetables and fruits and less junk foods. It also gives them more time to bond. Family dinners make the family members more open to one another. According to CASA chairman and president; Joseph Califano Jr., “One of the simplest and most effective ways for parents to be engaged in their teens’ lives is by having frequent family dinners.”

         When the parents are engaged to their teens lives, they will know what are the hurdles encountered by their children and if this happens, they could give advice to their children that will help them when hard times come.

Family dinners have lots of benefits. It gives the family proper nutrition. It keeps the family away from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. It also improves family ties that could relieve stress and tension at home.