Bonding is both easy and important

Family time has changed a lot over the last six months, but Monday, September 28, will give students a chance to make up for any mistakes made since the shelter-in-place began. That is National Family Day, a holiday dedicated to bringing families together and giving them a chance spend quality time with each other months before more common holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“According to the National Center on Addiction, families who eat three or more meals a week together reduce a teen’s risk of using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

That’s a fantastic outcome on its own. Family bonding is just a bonus. However, there are more benefits. For example, families who eat together also learn healthy eating habits, eat smaller portions, and are less likely to stress about food.” (Parent University)

There’s a lot to be learned from intentionally spending time with our loved ones. Family members are the people who love and support each other, they are supposed to set the influence during growth. Family bonding may have deteriorated over the years, but the pandemic has brought many families closer. National Family Day gives Americans a chance to further those develop those bonds, which can lead to teaching and learning from each other and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The United States is not the only country with a National Family Day, nor is September 28 the only family celebration in the country. South Africa and many provinces in Canada celebrate Family Day on February 15, Family Day in Japan will be celebrated on November 15, and the United Nations hosts an International Day of Family on May 15. Arizona even has its own American Family Day that is celebrated on the first Sunday in August. Imagine how many times a year you can celebrate time with your family throughout the year. Just start with September 28 and go from there.