On September 27, 2010 families across the United States are invited to participate in Family Day – a day to eat dinner with their children. The Office of the First Lady and ParentsEmpowered are reminding parents that dinner together is a simple and effective way to stay engaged in their children’s lives.Craig Povey would also like to remind Utah parents, “What your kids really want at the dinner table is you.” Parents who join their children for dinner create an opportunity to talk to them about their day’s activities and challenges. It is family bonding time.Studies show that children who eat dinner with their family are much less likely to drink alcohol, use other drugs or smoke. In fact, children are 33% less likely to be involved in underage drinking when they eat dinner with their parents at least five to seven times a week. ParentsEmpowered is working alongside Associated Retail Stores (Dick’s, Dan’s, Lin’s, and Maceys), Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Office of the First Lady, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Utah Prevention to kick off Family Day. In partnership with ParentsEmpowered.org, Dick’s, Dan’s, Lin’s, and Maceys will provide a list of suggested family bonding activities on each of these materials, in hopes of increasing family dinners and decreasing underage drinking.Dinner time together is important. In whatever setting a family chooses – picnic, takeout or around the dining table – eating together gives families opportunities to get to know each other better and talk about their day. The studies are true, parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep Utah’s kids alcohol-free.”For more information, please visit www.parentsempowered.org.
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