Family Meal Time

Sarah is the first to the dinner table each night when I make the call...DINNER IS READY. Blankies are dropped, cars and trucks are left in mid crash and my husband jumps into sous chef action. After I've gotten the natives settled into their seats, buckled in, bibbed, their milk in the right place, the right fork with the right plate, napkins, etc. I sit down too. As soon as I sit Sarah's hands reach out to each side of the table and she says "Amen." My 19 month old daughter reminds us every night to thank the Lord for the fruits we receive. After we've said Grace, she immediately raises her cup and says cheers. We are obligated to clink cups all around the table as Cody demands "a cheer." I usually say something like "Here's to kids who eat their food" or "Here's to hungry kids who eat their veggies." It's a fun and heart warming ritual.

The reason I bring up meal time is because I've been reading about it's importance to a healthy family. Jan Knight from the DeSoto Times Tribune states that research has found that children who eat at least one meal at home with their parents are more likely to be healthy physically as well as socially and emotionally. We do this every night even if Chris is gone. We also eat out once a week, but from what I read that's OK. Jan Knight also points out other key ingredients to a healthy family. I've highlighted them below:

• 1ST - Families, especially the children need to be active. Kids need to play by jumping, running, dancing, climbing, romping, swinging, etc. Less TV is the key to burning calories and building muscle. Plus they sleep better at night when they have exhausted all that kiddie energy.
• 2ND - Parents need to fix an evening meal and require the kids eat it with them. No TV in the background. Talk about things!
• 3rd - Eat out or take out only once a week. It's hard to know how much fat and calories your eating when you get take out.
• 4Th - Eating correctly needs to be a family habit. The kids are expected to eat fruit and vegetables. Keep putting those veggies on their plates. Talk about good fat and bad fat and about eating in moderation. Not only talk about it but model it. Also, talk about exercise and the benefits of being active. Children can understand about building muscle and being strong by doing push up, jumping jacks, etc. They love to show you their muscles.

I've found that the most important thing to a healthy family is our role as Mothers. We usually do the grocery shopping and cooking. We usually plan the activities with and without Dad. We are in charge of most educational opportunities through out the day. We have the power to influence the attitude of our children toward eating healthy foods, eating in moderation and being active. Educate your children and learn with them about living a healthy and well rounded life.