For many parents, life is a juggling act of balancing work and family, a personal life, and social and community obligations. At the end of the day, making dinner can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, with the help of takeout or a catering company, you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to give your family a hearty meal. And the benefits of doing so could be substantial. Here are four reasons to make family dinners a part of your routine. 

4 Benefits of Eating Dinner As a Family 

1. Promotes Togetherness

When everyone’s rushing to work, school, and activities, it can be challenging to keep track of what’s going on in everyone’s lives. Spending meal time together provides an opportunity for families to discuss their day and catch up with one another. It also offers families a chance to talk about current events and plan activities, such as weekend trips.

2. Improves Academics

Studies have shown kids who eat with their families five to seven nights a week perform significantly better in school compared to those who eat meals with their families less than three times a week. This may be in part because having dinner together promotes a healthier, more unified home life. It also gives parents a chance to ask about kids’ homework assignments and discuss how school is going.

3. Boosts Development

Very young children may not have as much to contribute to the conversation, but sharing dinner with family benefits them too. For one, it promotes language skills as family members talk to them and one another. It also helps them learn patience and dexterity by using utensils and learning to feed themselves properly. Furthermore, they’ll learn social skills and manners.

4. Better Mental Health

Research has also found children and teens who eat with their families have better mental health and a lower risk of depression. Teens are also less likely to use drugs and tend to have better manners and communication skills. And it’s not just the kids who feel better. Parents who share family meals also report being happier and less stressed. 

Turn to Cincinnati’s best down-home comfort food, Lee’s Famous Chicken Recipe, has hearty dinners with something for everyone. This local catering service provides a range of fresh chicken dishes for a variety of events, from family reunions to church gatherings. They even supply box lunches, which are ideal for retreats, picnics, and outdoor parties. Call (513) 244-2536 to speak with a friendly team member about your next event. Or, visit their website to see their menu.