Tuesday Tip for Picky Eaters: Eat meals together

This week’s Tuesday Tip for Picky Eaters: Eat meals together.

Yes, I know that it’s Monday, but today is Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children. I think that’s important enough to feature in this week’s tip for picky eaters.

Celebrate Family Day by eating dinner together this evening.

I grew up in a home that ate together at the dining room table nearly every day. The one exception was Sunday night, when we would eat on TV trays in the living room and watch a family movie. Even when we our schedules were busy with sports practice or other after-school activities, we made time to sit down, talk about our day, and eat together. The family dinner is a tradition I plan to continue for Henry.

Family Day is sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. They initiated this national event in 2001 after research revealed that frequent family dinners are one of the best ways to keep kids away from smoking, drinking and drugs. Eating dinner together also increases the likelihood that your children will pick up healthy eating habits from you. A 2003 study found that kids eat more fruits and vegetables when their family eats dinner together.

Sharing a meal provides more than just health benefits to kids. It also strengthens communication channels and family relationships. So take a break from your busy schedule, turn off the television, silence your phone and spend time together at the family table. Check out the Family Dinner Kit for recipes, conversation starters and kids’ activities to liven up your next meal.

I hope Henry stays this excited about eating dinner together.

And don’t worry, I’m not skipping out on writing a Tuesday post. In fact, I have something very exciting planned for tomorrow. It’s a special first for How to Feed a Henry that you won’t want to miss.

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