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In the regularly scheduled meeting of the Leesville City Council on Monday, Sept. 8, Mayor Betty Westerchil proclaimed Monday, Sept. 22 as Family Day for the City, urging all citizens to recognize and participate in its observance.
Westerchil presented the proclamation to Mickie Seastrunk, who works with the Vernon Parish School system as a drug prevention program coordinator. Seastrunk makes it her business to find resources for the community that will keep the awareness of the danger of drugs before the public, she said.
“The more often children eat with their families, the less likely they are to become involved with drinking, smoking and drugs,” she said. “It’s very simple, but I think it could make a great difference where substance abuse is concerned. There are many problems that have been solved around the dinner table.”
Family Day is sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and is an annual event celebrated on the fourth Monday in September.
Research by the organization supports the idea that regular family dinners have a huge influence on a child’s decision to use drugs, alcohol or tobacco. “Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind,” according to a brochure on the event.
Seastrunk hopes that once families get a taste of togetherness that they’ll come back for more and make family dinners are regular part of their lives.
“It allows the children to ask questions,” Seastrunk said. “The bottom line is it gives the families a chance to communicate.”
CASAFamilyDay.org offers information about the event as well as a menu planner, recipe ideas, place mat coloring sheets and conversation starter questions.
To get the communication rolling, the organization suggests probing questions such as “What are your best and worst personality traits?” or “What qualities do you look for in a friend?”
For those looking for a more lighthearted approach, the website offers up “Where is the coziest spot in your home?” or “What is your favorite smell in the whole world?” Answers to these questions could provide just the fun a family needs at the end of the day.
The website also offers advice on talking to children about drugs and alcohol as well as signs, symptoms and prevention techniques of substance abuse.
In the regularly scheduled meeting of the Leesville City Council on Monday, Sept. 8, Mayor Betty Westerchil proclaimed Monday, Sept. 22 as Family Day for the City, urging all citizens to recognize and participate in its observance.
Westerchil presented the proclamation to Mickie Seastrunk, who works with the Vernon Parish School system as a drug prevention program coordinator. Seastrunk makes it her business to find resources for the community that will keep the awareness of the danger of drugs before the public, she said.
“The more often children eat with their families, the less likely they are to become involved with drinking, smoking and drugs,” she said. “It’s very simple, but I think it could make a great difference where substance abuse is concerned. There are many problems that have been solved around the dinner table.”
Family Day is sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and is an annual event celebrated on the fourth Monday in September.
Research by the organization supports the idea that regular family dinners have a huge influence on a child’s decision to use drugs, alcohol or tobacco. “Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind,” according to a brochure on the event.
Seastrunk hopes that once families get a taste of togetherness that they’ll come back for more and make family dinners are regular part of their lives.
“It allows the children to ask questions,” Seastrunk said. “The bottom line is it gives the families a chance to communicate.”
CASAFamilyDay.org offers information about the event as well as a menu planner, recipe ideas, place mat coloring sheets and conversation starter questions.
To get the communication rolling, the organization suggests probing questions such as “What are your best and worst personality traits?” or “What qualities do you look for in a friend?”
For those looking for a more lighthearted approach, the website offers up “Where is the coziest spot in your home?” or “What is your favorite smell in the whole world?” Answers to these questions could provide just the fun a family needs at the end of the day.
The website also offers advice on talking to children about drugs and alcohol as well as signs, symptoms and prevention techniques of substance abuse.
