Start the Conversation About Wellness
At Herren, we want to help families grow, heal and thrive together. We encourage you to make “family dinner” a goal during Wellness Week with Herren and beyond. Take this time to start (or continue!) the conversation about wellness, mental health and substance use.
Connecting With Your Kids is Key!
According to the Center on Addiction, children of all ages, especially teens, who sit down with their families three or more times per week are less likely to engage in risky behavior like using drugs and alcohol. They eat healthier, do better academically, have better relationships with their parents and peers and are less likely to be overweight. Genuine family connection can be a big part of wellness.
We know that life is busy and sometimes, three dinners a week just isn’t possible, so make the most of the time you do have. Even if it’s just one dinner a week.
Ask your kids how they are… how they really are. Listen and ask how you can best support them. Give advice when the moment is right and guide them to healthy coping skills to help them live well. Remind them you love them and are here for them. Sometimes, this simple reminder can go a long way.
Resources to Get You Started
It may not be easy at first to get everyone on board with a family dinner. For tips on implementing family dinners and how to start the conversation around wellness tips on how to get started, download Herren Project’s Dinner Discussions flyer.
The Family Dinner Project, a nonprofit initiative started in 2010, champions family dinner as an opportunity for family members to connect with each other through food, fun and conversation about things that matter.
With over 30 years of research and experience we are grateful to partner with The Family Dinner Project. Click on the images below to download a variety of resources to enhance the family dinner in your household.
Family Day, founded in 2001 by Center on Addiction, works with organizations across the country to educate parents about how everyday activities, like sharing a meal, playing a game, or asking about their day, can make a difference in the life of a child.
Check out Family Day for other ways to enhance family time beyond the family dinner. If your kids aren’t used to talking to you about their day when they are 8 or 10, it’s harder to start at 12-14. Download a copy of these age appropriate conversation starters to keep the conversation going.
