YOUR DINNER TABLE MIGHT BE THE KEY TO A HAPPIER FAMILY
The family dinner is a staple of years gone by. These days, the only time you see a family sit together and break bread seems to be at Thanksgiving. This is a shame, because regular family dinners are incredibly important! It’s a time to bond with your loved ones that can have a positive impact on your kids’ lives. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that kids who regularly partake in family meals are less likely to experience depression or engage in drug use. Furthermore, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University determined that kids who eat family meals five to seven times a week bring home better report cards.
why not break out the healthy snacks and make dinner happen a little later or earlier? Plus, the meal you share as a family doesn’t have to be at dinnertime. If there’s time in the mornings, sit down for breakfast. If you have the opportunity on weekends or during a school break, grab lunch together. CALL ALL HANDS ON DECK Mom or Dad shouldn’t be expected to cook by themselves for every meal. This is family time, after all, so call in the kids! Make sure their tasks are age-appropriate — leave sautéing vegetables to the high schooler and let your first-grader set out the cups instead. This is the perfect opportunity to teach kids valuable kitchen skills and to take some of the burden off your plate. Plus, if your kids are picky eaters, inviting them to be part of the cooking process can make them more inclined to try the finished product. DON’T STRESS YOURSELF OUT It’s okay if you’re too busy on a Monday to cook dinner. There’s always Tuesday. Or you can take a trip to your favorite family restaurant. Family meals should be fun, and that can’t happen if you’re stressed. Don’t feel pressured to make each meal perfect or to prepare a three-course dinner every night. Chicken and rice can get the job done as long as you’re all sitting around the table as a family.
Even when schedules are busy, you can make family dinners fit into your agenda with these tips.
BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT MEALTIMES
Dinner doesn’t have to be at 6
p.m. on the dot. If Kamala has a karate tournament in the evening or Peter needs to stay late at school for art club,
No matter how hectic your schedule may be, making family meals a priority is always worth the investment. Who’s in the mood for meatloaf?
Client Testimonials SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US
“Rob was my lawyer for a paternity case. I expected a competent lawyer, but I got a lawyer who is one in 1,000. Rob exuded confidence and a calmness that came from his thorough preparation for court. The opposition folded and gave up as soon as we entered the courtroom. It took 10 minutes for us to win. It was the fastest hearing in family court history. I owe Rob one huge pat on the back. Rob is a great lawyer and a stupendous person.”
“John Holland represented me in a custody case that was recently settled. There are no words to convey how well I feel John and his dad, Bob Holland, did in helping settle my case. John’s knowledge of the law and its processes is second to none. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you need an attorney, John Holland would be my first recommendation.”
–C. Smith
–Howard S. Tom, family court client
www.bhollandlawfirm.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs