A recent US study showed that kids eating dinner with their families are less likely to smoke, drink and take drugs.

The study by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University showed that kids who ate five meals a week with their families are:

• 45 percent less likely to drink and 66 percent less likely to do drugs.
• More likely to get A’s and B’s in school.
• More likely to think their parents are proud of them.

Do I care if my kids get A’s or B’s? Not really it would be nice for them but it’s not essential. It’s not the end results of this study that appeal to me but the underlying meaning of a family ‘being’ together.

Addictions, in my experience stem from issues of self esteem often the result of problems in the family home. To me what this study is really saying is family meal times are an opportunity to talk, be heard and show you are interested  in each other. When you take time to connect, your kids feel wanted and loved.

“The power of the family dinner comes not from the food on the plate but from who’s at the table and what’s happening there. The emotional and social benefits that come from family dinners are priceless,” said Kathleen Ferrigno, CASA’s Director of Marketing. “Having dinner as a family is one of the easiest ways to create routine opportunities for parental engagement and communication”

Even with busy schedules, it’s easier than you think to have a regular family meal.

Here are some tips from CASA:

• Plan meals together.
• Make a date — schedule it on the calendar.
• Cook together.

As kids get older they become more independent and less willing to share their thoughts with their parents. Find a way to engage with your kids.

Here are some conversation starters for a fun way to get everyone talking.

• Where would you go for a dream holiday?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
• What is one thing you could absolutely not live without?
• If you could live in any time period, which one would it be?
• What is your favorite thing you learned today?
• What is one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime?
• What book are you reading right now? What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it?