DENVER -- It is probably one of the last things you thought would come from the mouth of a teenager: "I want to eat out with my family in public."

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Teens Enjoy Eating Out With Family

But a new survey sponsored by Coca-Cola polled kids ages 6 to 17 and roughly half said that the best part of eating out was being with their family, with 72 percent saying it's even better if they get to order dessert.

"I like going out to eat with my family because it's a time to hang out with the family 'cause I'm not around too much anymore so I see what's going on with them," said 17-year-old Mark Dafner.

Psychologist and author Mike Riera says eating out is a great way to reconnect with your family because it's time away from home and away from distractions of the home which include the telephone, the Internet and television.

If you'd like to read more of the survey results go to FamilyDiner.com.The site also offers tips to parents to help make dining out with children easier and more enjoyable.