Tiffany Greene, Your Kids

Dinner time discussions are dwindling away for many families. 

News 13's Tiffany Greene tells us how research shows men and women are spending more time on the job and less time in the kitchen.

Whether it is at a restaurant, or right at home, family meals can feed more than stomachs.

Research by Columbia University confirms what mom already knows -- sitting the kids down to a family meal has a positive effect on the character and social development of children.

"For many American families, the dinner table is really the only time that parents get to catch up with their kids. It's when they find out what their kids are reading, how they're doing in school, who their friends are, how they're spending that time with their friends," said Roberta Caploe, a lifestyle editor.

But with today's active lifestyles, getting families to eat together on a regular basis is challenging.

According to an AC Nielsen survey, 60 percent of 18 to 44-year-olds say they are so busy during the day that making dinner needs to be easy.

Moms agree that trying to please each family member at dinner time can be difficult.  Ordering pizza, for example, can be a science.

"It's a challenge just to find something we all want. I mean we can choose pizza but then we all want different toppings," Caploe said.
 
If you want to make more time for family time, get the kids' opinion on preparing a home-cooked meal. The planning and cooking phases are all opportunities for conversation and bonding.  Experts say you should try to anchor your week around at least one family meal. You never know what you might learn.

To see more Your Kids stories, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

 
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