The Power of Family Meals ~ Disconnect to Reconnect and a Giveaway
Family Mealtime ~ Disconnect to Reconnect
Family mealtime is such an important time to bond with your family. No matter the size of your family it's a special time but far too often we lose sight of that. When I was growing up there were no mealtime distractions. We gathered around the kitchen table and ate dinner together.....no computers, no smartphones, no tablets...you get the idea, and those times formed some of my favorite family memories. Sadly, today, I notice that far too often mealtime is not a time to connect with those who are right by your side. Whether I'm out at a restaurant or at a family gathering I see people texting and checking their smartphones...the focus isn't what's right in front of our eyes and that is such a shame, to say the least, and I have been guilty of that. I used to work 3 jobs ~ one in an office 50+ hours a week and then 2 jobs at home as an IC. I was always either gone or in front of my computer. My kids would sweetly ask if I could stop to have dinner with them and most nights they waited until I was home to eat dinner with me. That's when it really clicked for me how important mealtime was and is with my kids. These meals will not be something I always have with them so I appreciate every single time we sit down together and most of our mealtimes are filled with laughter and good quality conversation.
Some of the Benefits of Family Mealtime
- "Sitting down to a meal together draws a line around us," says Miriam Weinstein, author of The Surprising Power of Family Meals, "It encloses us and strengthens the bonds that connect us with other members of our self-defined clan, shutting out the rest of the world." Source
- Research suggests that having dinner together as a family at least four times a week has positive effects on child development. Family dinners have been linked to a lower risk of obesity, substance abuse, eating disorders, and an increased chance of graduating from high school. Source
- Everyone eats healthier meals. Source
- Your and your kids will talk more. Source
- There will be less stress and tension at home. Source
Disconnect to Reconnect ~ Take the Pledge ~ You Won't Regret It!
A few weeks ago when I was contacted to be a part of this project I was thrilled ~ getting and KEEPING families together is something that is very near and dear to me. I took the pledge without hesitation and I would love if you did, too.
Here's the pledge:
Eating meals together will help us remain close and united as a family. To ensure that we maintain this tradition, I pledge that during one meal, once a week, I will disconnect by turning off the television and putting away all tablets, cell phones and games to reconnect with our family
Now that you've read it go make it official and let your friends and family know that you made this choice ~ let's share with everyone how important our families and family mealtime really is.
The Power of Family Meals is a great site ~ once you've made your pledge check out all the delicious recipes and information about the benefits of eating together.
I found a quick, easy and tasty recipe for gluten-free pizza crust at the Power of Family Meals that I used as the base for a gluten-free pizza yesterday and my family loved it!
And Now for the Giveaway
If you would like to spread the word please tweet about the importance of family mealtime with the hashtag #Disconnect2Reconnect and/or pin this graphic ~ let's get this message to go viral and keep families connected!
This is a Sponsored post but all opinions are 100% my own.
Taking the challenge! No excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love your attitude, Karen! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I love the pledge. Family dinners are huge in our house.
That's so good to hear, Kristen!
took the pledge thanks for the giveaway
Great post! This is something I feel strongly about too. We have never had electronics at the table and we try to have a sit down dinner every night. SO IMPORTANT 🙂
I am so glad that you and your family do that, Stacy ~ I want to encourage those who aren't to start. It's never too late to make time for our families.
Could not agree more! We do this now, but when we get really busy with projects, it can fall away with conflicting schedules and everyone grabbing something at a different time. I love family dinners. We just had a mini turkey dinner, at the table last night :))) We never allow tech, but do watch TV sometimes.
We do that too, sometimes Shannon ~ fall away ~ it's so easy to do and it's TV for us sometimes as well ~ we like to catch up on a favorite show or two all together. 😉
I took the pledge. I think this is a wonderful idea, Mary Beth! I'm promoting the site on my daughter's Girl Scout Silver Award Facebook page too.
Thank you so much for taking the pledge and for sharing it ~ when I heard about it I was hooked! There's nothing like family time. 🙂 Have a great week, Jenn.
It's so important to have that family time together at the dinner table. I love that little bit of time I get with my family every day!
Visited and took the pledge! Its definitely something we value as very important to our family.
I am so glad you took the pledge, D 🙂
I took the pledge.
Love this! We don't have a TV in our kitchen for this very reason! It's our time to hear about each other's day! Love this!
My family used to do this...and we got out the habit. Thank you fer letting me see that it is time our family brought it back. Just us, no electronics. Thanks also, for the giveaway. Good luck everyone...we all need a close family.
I am so glad this helped to nudge you back in the direction of focused family mealtime, Brandi! hugs, mb
This is an idea I am 100% behind! Great post MB!
Thanks so much, Malia!
I took the pledge! although i already practice this at home! 🙂
Thanks for taking the pledge and I am so glad to hear it's something you already do ~ yay to family!
I really, really need to work on this...thanks for sharing Mary Beth!
Definitely taking this challenge!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I took the pledge and thank you for the contest 🙂
You're welcome and I'm so glad you took the pledge!
I love it and summer is the perfect time to get going! Thanks taking the pledge
Me & my boys took the pledge