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A recent story in TIME magazine titled "The Magic of the Family Meal" caught our attention. "The statistics are clear," TIME reported. "Kids who dine with the folks are healthier, happier and better students, which is why a dying tradition is coming back."
Indeed, the daily family meal is a tradition that ought to be re-enthroned.
The past couple of decades, study after study has validated the importance of families taking the time to sit around the same table, eat the same food, turn off the TV and talk to one another.
Most recently, a Columbia University study released last September concluded "Frequent family dining is associated with lower rates of teen smoking, drinking and drug use." Furthermore, "Teens who have frequent family dinners are likelier to get better grades in school."
In short, a simple, regular family meal is a pretty good insurance policy.
KSL encourages parents everywhere to contemplate the significance of this important information. Meal time can be one of the most important activities parents participate in with their children. In today's fast paced world with its many distractions, finding the time to sit down together for a meal is well worth whatever effort may be required.
