Kids want to eat dinner with their parents

September 22, 2008

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KIDS WANT TO EAT DINNER WITH THEIR PARENTS

September 22 is National Family Day to remind parents that dinner together is a simple and effective way to stay engaged in their children’s lives and increase the odds of their children remaining drug free.

Studies show that children who eat dinner with their family are much less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. On September 22, 2008, families across the United States are invited to participate in Family Day – a day to eat dinner with their children. This national initiative will remind parents that what their kids really want at the dinner table is them. Parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free. The Salt Lake City Mayor’s Coalition on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs, Jill Love, City Council Member, Associated Foods Stores, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Utah Prevention, and Parents Empowered.org will kick off Family Day at 3:00 p.m., at the Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State St. in room 335 (Cannon room).

Nearly 600 independent retailers affiliated with Associated Foods Stores in eight western states believe eating dinner together as a family is important. In a partnership with ParentsEmpowered.org, Associated Foods plans to deliver a message by way of grocery plastic bags. Each plastic bag will carry a message informing parents of the importance of eating dinner together as a family.

“Associated Foods Stores recognizes the importance of sharing family meals as a way of bringing family members closer,” said Bret Gallacher, Marketing Manager of Associated Foods Stores. “The time spent together can strongly influence many decisions that children must make as they mature, including the decision not to experiment with alcohol or other drugs.”

Mayor Becker expresses his support of the dinner message. “Dinner time together is important,” he said. “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.”

For more information about Family Day, visit www.casafamilyday.org.

The Salt Lake City Mayor’s Coalition on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs is a
community based substance abuse prevention coalition. Through the collaboration of its diverse membership, the Coalition advocates for evidence based practices and guides the development of policy and legislation, thereby creating a community where effective education, prevention, treatment, recovery and justice are provided without stigma. www.slcpreventioncoaltion.org

ParentsEmpowered.org is a statewide campaign focused on eliminating underage drinking in Utah. Its primary goals are to educate parents about the dangers of underage drinking and provide them with proven skills to communicate with their children about remaining alcohol-free. More information is available at www.parentsempowered.org.