Your Community - Tykes & Teens wants families to sit down to meals together

STUART -- If you could make one simple change proven to improve your child's mental health, academic performance, and ability to resist peer pressure, would you?

Of course you would, and you may be surprised to learn that just by sharing more meals together as a family, you can dramatically improve the well being of your children.

For this reason, Tykes & Teens, along with Family Day lead sponsors March Brechbill, CPA and CHARACTER COUNTS!/United Way of Martin County are promoting Family Day in Martin County.

Family Day is a campaign created by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse that encourages families to sit down to meals together.

Family Day 2017 is Sept. 25, but celebrations and activities in Martin County will take place throughout the month of September.

Studies show that children who sit down to eat with their families frequently are: 60% more likely to engage well at school, 52% more likely to say no to drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and 27% more likely to report a good relationship with parents.

As part of the campaign, the East Stuart Youth Initiative will host a free Family Day meal open to the public on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the 10th Street Recreation Center, 724 SE 10th Street in Stuart.

All attendees must call 772 288-5340 to register, and families in attendance will receive a free gift that includes recipes and conversation starters to get communication flowing with your kids at mealtime.

Here are a few conversation starters that you can try out with your kids tonight:

What is your favorite thing about yourself and why?

Name your three favorite possessions, and tell us why they are your favorite.

Of those 3 possessions, which one would you keep, which one would you give to someone you love, and which one would you be able to throw away?

If you were the ruler of the world, what is the first thing you would do, and why?

Family Day is supported by a task force that, in addition to Tykes & Teens and CHARACTER COUNTS!, includes Moms for Mental Health, Michael J. Bonan, Attorney at Law, Castle, City of Stuart, Safe Space's YOUR Leaders, and the East Stuart Youth Initiative.

Local restaurants supporting the campaign by placing Family Day information and conversation starters at their tables include Taco Shack, Hurricane Wings and Grill of Jensen Beach, Stuart's Fish & Pig, and Polka European Market & Restaurant.

For more information about Family Day, visit www.tykesandteens.org or call Dr. Agnieszka Marshall, Tykes & Teens Director of Prevention, at 772 220-3439.