Photo: Drazen Zigic (Shutterstock)
OK, not all families all the time (this was the latchkey kid era, after all). But in general, there was once a greater emphasis on family mealtimes. Nowadays, this can be all but impossible, with multiple kids get involved in music, school clubs, and sports, but whenever it can happen, we should make eating together a priority.
According to Stanford Children’s Health, family meals teach the importance of sharing responsibilities (like food prep, table setting, and kitchen cleanup). They also impart table manners, communication skills (like being patient while waiting for a sibling to finish talking), enhanced relationships, and greater self-esteem among children whose parents take time to express interest in their daily experiences.
