Ten Benefits of Frequent Family Dinners

T

he more often children and teens eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink and use drugs. Children and teens who have frequent family dinners:• are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine with their families

Infrequently:

• are less likely to have friends or classmates who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs

• have lower levels of tension and stress at home

• are more likely to say that their parents are proud of them

• are likelier to say they can confide in their parents

• are likelier to get better grades in school

• are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships

• have healthier eating habits

• are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide

• are less likely to try marijuana or have friends who use marijuana