Fast Food Counts: Why You Should Make Family Dinner a Priority Even When You're Busy with Carol Roper Ep. 186

Does your family still gather around the table? In this Kitchen Table episode of Building Strong Homes, Carol Roper shares memories from her own childhood table, from the English peas she refused to eat to the dishwashing races and "I Will Survive" duets she had with her sister. She also shares how she carried the tradition into her own marriage and family.

Carol also explains the research behind it. Emory University researchers Marshall Duke and Robyn Fivush found that children who know their family history have a stronger sense of control, higher self-esteem, lower anxiety, and better emotional health. Carol shares the first five of their 20 questions, explains why it's the sharing of stories, not the facts themselves, that matters, and offers practical ideas for busy families, including a goal of sharing dinner three to four times a week, even if it's fast food at the ballpark.

If you're a mom juggling sports and activities, a grandmother hoping to pass down family stories, or you just want to build a stronger, more connected family, this episode will encourage you to make the table a priority.

You'll hear about:

• Why the family dinner table is a safe place for sharing stories and building belonging
• The Emory University research on family stories and children's emotional health
• The first five of the 20 "Do You Know?" questions to ask your family
• Practical ways to keep dinner a priority when life gets busy
• A reminder that dinner doesn't have to be a home-cooked meal

Resources: the full list of 20 questions at my website CarolRoper.org/podcast

Watch on YouTube Fast Food Counts: Why You Should Make Family Dinner a Priority Even When You're Busy

Contact me at BuildingStrongHomes@gmail.com