Turn meal-time into family-time

The thing is, if you belong to a family, it is important to have at least one meal in the day together as a family. Depending on work and school schedules, it is possible to organise for everyone to be at home at a certain time to eat together. There are countless benefits when a family eats together. The kids are all for the better just as the parents and other family members will be.

Family mealtime in a pleasant environment is something very special and is more than having something good to eat. It is healthy in so many ways. It nourishes the body, mind and soul. Sometimes, the best family memories are of special meals and times together around the kitchen table.

According to educationist Leah Davies, “Studies report that family meals are strongly related to the development of adolescent mental health and stability. There are nutritional, as well as social, emotional and academic advantages that occur in children when families share meals together.”

She goes on to state that, “A sense of belonging and mutual trust is fostered when adults and children eat together and enjoy each other’s company. Family meals provide opportunities for adults to model table manners and nutritious food choices. Eating together encourages adult-child communication skills such as listening patiently to each other and expressing one’s opinion in a respectful manner and mealtimes provide a setting for moral and intellectual discussion where family values are shared.”

Davies explained that since children thrive on routines, family meals foster a sense of security and stability. “When children help with meals, they learn skills such as shopping, setting the table, preparing food, serving food and cleaning up. Family meals can foster family traditions and enhance cultural heritages.”

Studies show that people eat more balanced meals and a variety of foods when they eat with family or friends. Time to share ideas, thoughts, and feelings builds relationships. Also, research shows that children who often hear adult conversation improve their vocabulary, reading test scores and speaking skills. Foods and memories created around the family table, experts say, help shape and give meaning to our cultural heritage.

Mrs Fali Abubakar confirmed this by sharing her first-hand experience on the benefits of family mealtimes. “Mealtimes are when my husband and I follow up on our own activities as well as our children’s. If there is a problem or something bothering anyone, it is tabled at mealtime and discussed and resolved there and then if possible. My husband and I noticed how freely the children express themselves correctly and open up on intimate issues they may not have felt free to talk about in a different situation.

“Also, when they do wrong and we correct them, we cite examples of what the ideal situation should be considering the fact that we are Africans who act with a lot of respect for culture. Since we started having dinner together, I’ve noticed how the children look forward to it and how closer we have bonded as a family.”

“Mealtimes are about the only opportunity we have in our home to be together as a family,” said Mrs Halima Mudashiru. “From preparing the meals, my children and I are already talking and chatting about our experiences during the day. My husband pops in once in a while and contributes before we take the food to the table and eat together. This is the way I grew up and I was determined to carry it on to my own home. I notice that asides sharing the meal together and bonding, my children have quickly picked an interest in cooking and are doing it better by the day.”

Here are a few suggestions as prescribed by experts on how to make your family mealtime a special time to bond.

Create lasting memories: In 20 years, what memories will you and your children have of your family time together?

Choose family time together over other priorities: Think you don’t have time to eat meals together? Consider how many meals you share as a family each week. Can you add one more? It’s worth the effort.

Be flexible: Family time can fit into your schedule: plan ahead, be creative.

Limit interruptions: Turn off the TV, don’t answer the phone and shut down the computer games.

Enjoy your family: Say yes to activities based on how they affect your family time. Say no to things less important than your time together.

Whether family meals happen every day or occasionally, your family will feel the rewards of spending more time together. Learn to savour the time as much as you savour the food.