Imagine if there was one, simple thing parents could do for their children that would lead to the following results: better mental and physical health, higher self-esteem, less risky behavior, better academic performance, better communication skills, and a better relationship between parent and child. The family meal: 20 years of research has shown that this tool does, indeed, exist. Anne Fishel, professor of psychology at Harvard University and co-founder of the Family Dinner Project, is an advocate for family meals. “So many of the things that I try to do in family therapy actually get accomplished by regular dinners,” Fishel said. Leonard Sax, a psychologist with 30 years of experience and the author of some very insightful parenting books, in his advice for parents says that the family meal should be a constant. “Research shows having a family meal at home without distractions is important. Every day,” Sax said. “Not doing …