When I was growing up, my family had dinner every night at exactly 5:30. That’s what time my dad got home from work. My mom was a PE teacher at my middle school and she got home from work earlier, so she would make sure we ate together as a family most nights.
Looking back, we were a very busy family. My mom served as the head of several organizations. My dad coached Little League and served as President of the Boosters Club among all of his other volunteer positions.
Fast forward to today and families are busier than ever and in some households, eating dinner together has become a thing of the past. And I admit often times, part of the family would be parked in front of the TV while other members of the family would grab food on the go.
That’s one of the reasons I decided to join Vanity Fair® Napkins and take the pledge to take back the table and eat dinner together as a family. Here are 5 reasons to take back the table.
1. Reduce Stress
If you have a stressful job, sitting down at the table and eating as a family can help reduce stress. And it’s a great way to reconnect after a long day.
2. Save Money
The cost of eating out on a regular basis can quickly blow the budget. Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated. I have plenty of meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less.
3. Introduce Your Kids to the Kitchen
Give your kids age-appropriate tasks to help prepare dinner. Children can help set the table, help with measuring ingredients and help with the cleanup. It’s not only time spent together, but precious memories are being made and you’re teaching your child life skills.
4. Spend Time Together
Sometimes dinner time is one of the few times the entire family is together. It’s a great way to catch up on each other’s day, to share a few laughs and to relax and unwind.
5. Dinner at Home Teaches Healthy Food Choices
The eating habits of children often last a lifetime. Dinner time is the perfect time to introduce children to new foods and teaching them to make healthy choices.
Most importantly, dinner time should be fun! Recently my family and I made a fun video of how we are taking back the table. It’s showing us going down a checklist to make sure all of our electronic devices are turned off and put away before dinner. Then we challenged family friends, Ashley and Brandon, to take back the table. In case you missed it, I’ll share it again here.
Does your family eat dinner together most nights?
I took the pledge to #takebackthetable to show how important it is to spend more time with family at mealtime.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Vanity Fair® Napkins. The opinions and text are all mine.