One of the most important things you can do with your child is to eat dinner together. But with busy schedules and countless distractions, family dinners can easily fall by the wayside, especially today with the preponderance of technology devices, multiple screens, and 24/7 connectivity. That's why Boston Market, a national fast-casual chain invented to help busy families put a wholesome meal on the table, has teamed up with Olympic Gold Medalist, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and celebrity mom Lisa Leslie to challenge families to “Log Out Look Up.”
The new “Log Out Look Up” campaign is a simple reminder to remove the barriers that stand between families and spending quality time together by logging out of our devices and sitting down for a great meal, filled with fun and meaningful conversation.
"Boston Market knows about the value of a great dinner. Our mission is to be a resource to help busy families put a wholesome meal on the table that tastes like it was prepared at home," says Sara Bittorf, chief brand officer of Boston Market. "‘Log Out Look Up’ is about bringing back the joy of family dinner before our crazy schedules and technology got in the way. We hope it will play a part in building happier families and healthier kids, one meal at a time."
Recent studies link regular family meals with the kinds of behaviors parents want for their children—higher grade-point averages, resilience, and self-esteem. Additionally, family meals are linked to lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, and depression.
"I'm proud to be involved in the 'Log Out Look Up' campaign because spending quality time together is one of the best things we can do for our families. It's the perfect time to bond with our kids, teach healthy eating habits and have fun together while enjoying a delicious meal," Leslie says. "Busy schedules will always pose a barrier, but with a little planning and support, family dinners can become a household staple."
Once devices are turned off, many families may wonder how to keep kids engaged while creating impactful conversations at the dinner table. To answer this question, The Family Dinner Project, a growing movement of food, fun, and conversation about things that matter, offers a variety of resources, including dinner games, conversation starters, and even fun ways to get kids involved with food prep.
"The family dinner is one part of our day that is real and tangible in a world that's increasingly virtual," says Lynn Barendsen, executive director of The Family Dinner Project. "Enjoying food, fun, and conversation without distractions is a way to really focus on what's important in our lives."
A new survey recently conducted by Boston Market found that Sunday is the most popular day of the week for family meals together. To help families spend even more time together, Boston Market will offer a special buy-one, get-one-free deal for a limited time only. Guests who make a purchase between Sunday and Friday during the week will receive a special Saturday receipt coupon for a buy one individual meal and a drink, get one individual meal free.
