Numbers Game

My second grader has been bringing home that annoying kind of math work where you have to learn “which way to point the alligator’s mouth.” I always disliked these assignments immensely as a kid. I don’t remember why and so try not to project this onto him. But today in this space we’re going to do our own kind of greater than/less than homework. According to research by the National Center on Addiction and Drug Abuse at Columbia University:

-Children and teens who have frequent family dinners are at half the risk for substance abuse as those who dine infrequently with family.

-They are less likely to have peers who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs.

-They have lower levels of tension and stress at home.

-They are more likely to say their parents are proud of them.

-Children and teens who have frequent family meals are more likely to say they can confide in their parents, to get better grades in school, to be emotionally content and to have positive peer relationships.

-These kids are more likely to have healthier eating habits.

-They are at a lower risk for suicide than are their peers who don’t eat with family often.

That’s the power offered us from just one study! Find a strategy that works for you one night this week … I’d love to hear about it.

Tonight I'm going with the Crockpot sub-category of the make-ahead strategy. It’s finally chilly here in the Midwest … checkout the bundled fans at tomorrow’s World Series game! Feels like stew.