Press Releases: The Importance of Family Dinners IV

New York, NY, September 20, 2007 - Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five or more per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (two or fewer) are three and a half times likelier to have abused prescription drugs; three and a half times likelier to have used an illegal drug other than marijuana or prescription drugs; three times likelier to have used marijuana; more than two and a half times likelier to have used tobacco; and one and a half times likelier to have drunk alcohol, according to a new report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University and sponsored by The Safeway Foundation.

The Power of Parenting
Whether you’re cooking a gourmet meal, ordering food from your favorite take-out place or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU! Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind. The communication that occurs over the course of a meal is critical in building a relationship between you and your kids and it helps you understand the challenges they face.

Did you know that eating dinner frequently with your children and teens reduces their risk of substance abuse?

Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

CASA created Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ in 2001, as a national movement that encourages parents to frequently eat dinner with their kids and be involved in their children’s lives as simple, effective ways to reduce substance abuse among children and teens. Family Day is celebrated on the fourth Monday in September.

Family Day is not just for families. It is a day for all to celebrate, including businesses, unions, religious organizations and community groups. The symbolic act of regular family meals should be promoted and celebrated inside and outside the home throughout the year.

Other Steps You Can Take to Help Prevent Your Kids From Abusing Substances

Regular family dinners aren’t the only way to help keep your kids substance free. Here are some other important things you can do: 

Lifetime Memories for our Children

Adapted from Dr. Anthony P. Witham

            I will…

            Pause with my child-----when others hurry by.

            Walk with my child-----when others are running.

            Smile with my child-----when others can find only frowns.

            Listen to my child-----when others appear preoccupied.

            Praise my child-----when others fail to sense the power of touch.

            Read with my child-----when others prefer television.

            Learn from my child-----when others have forsaken curiosity.

            Play with my child-----when others prefer being entertained.

            Discipline my child-----when others fail to establish limits.

            Apologize to my child-----when others pretend perfection.

            Pray with my child-----when others have lost faith.

            Dream with my child-----when others have become too cynical.

Is Your Family Prepared?

Unfortunately, emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. While no one can anticipate every scenario, there are some basic things families can do to be better prepared. Here are some tips on emergency preparedness from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov website: http://www.ready.gov

• Get a kit—Put together a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for at least three days. The kit should include basic items like water, nonperishable food, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit. Get a complete list of recommended supplies.
  
  
• Make a plan—Plan in advance what you and your family will do in an emergency. Develop a communications plan and know your options for both staying put and evacuating. Ask about the emergency plans of your children’s schools, your place of work, and other key locations.
  
  
• Be informed—Learn about the potential man-made and natural threats that could affect your community, as well as the appropriate responses to them. Seek information about state and local emergency plans.
  
  
• Get involved—After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step: Get training in first aid and emergency response and get involved in preparing your community. Learn more from Citizen Corps.
  
  

Finally, talk to your kids about emergencies. Visit ready.gov/kids as a family to start conversations with your children about their fears and the things they should know and can do in case of emergency.

September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. PTA is proud to be a member of the National Preparedness Month 2007 Coalition and to help promote the safety of all children and families.