Over the years I have seen a dynamic family connection fade away. In my opinion, a most valuable family bonding experience that has been disappearing over the years is the family meal.

For those of us old enough to remember, the nightly family dinner was a big deal and pretty much mandatory.

Today we live in such different times. Both parents often need to work, sometimes different times or late into the evening. After school activities and technology are just some of the reasons that a family meal has become a lost treasure.

Studies have shown that a sit down dinner with all family members promotes family bonding. It reaps many mental health and academic benefits.

It would be nice to see this tradition come back.