Busy lives have taken over our existence. We have time for nothing. But the truth is, we DO have time. Think of all the time we spend on our phones, in our cars and catching up on the DVR. We do have time, it’s just that we don’t manage it as well as we used to with all the distractions.
I'm always trying to keep my family at the center of my life. They are the most important, and I only get one shot at raising my kids. When they are adults, I want to know I did what I could to teach them about a healthy lifestyle. I want to instill in them that they are loved. I want them to know they were, and will always be, my greatest accomplishment.
We reap what we sow.
Life is meant to be lived, and I'm sharing my five favorite ways to bring my family closer together. They are easy, manageable and they work.
Movie Night.
This doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to involve snacks
and pajamas. Decide on a movie ahead of time, which will alleviate the half
hour or more that everyone usually argues over what to watch.
Make the plans clear. Movie, what time, what snacks and
pajamas. That’s it. Give the kids more
than one reminder, and get excited with them. Naturally, electronics are NOT invited to join
the fun.
Family Dinner.
This seems simple. It doesn’t seem like it should be an
event that needs to be planned. But let’s
be honest, how many families gather round the table and have dinner together?
All at once?
It’s a dying trend.
We make time for what is important to us, and we all can
make time for a family dinner once a week.
I’m talking ONE.
We have been sitting down on Sundays and Wednesdays. Our
schedule right now has us all home those two nights. This will change, but for
now, it works.
The trick with bringing the family dinner back is to involve
everyone. Give the kids jobs, and let
them help. Little ones can set out
napkins, older ones can take drink orders (my preteen loves that job). Teens
can help cook (life skills!).
It works. I promise.
Just don’t forget conversation. We ask one question that everyone must
answer. We go around the table. It’s amazing the stuff you learn just sitting
around the table.
Oh, and again, NO PHONES.
BINGO!
I love this game. My kids love it too. When we are in need of a fun, refreshing
night I set up BINGO. I buy prizes like
candy bars, bouncy balls, bubbles, chalk, scratch off tickets and I set out
dollars. I make sure there are prizes
everyone will like.
And then we play BINGO. The only rule is that if you win two
in a row you have to choose another player who HASN’T yet to pick a prize. This
keeps the tears away, and it reminds the kids that their siblings DO like them.
Another win-win.
Life Skills!
I hate the word “chores.” I prefer “life skills.” When we teach our kids to make their beds,
clean their toys or sweep the floor we are teaching them skills they will use
the rest of their lives. We are teaching
them to be responsible.
Just last night I explained to my younger son that his
future roommate will not like his clothes all over the floor. His future wife will be driven mad by his
open drawers with pant legs hanging out.
No one likes that, and no one wants to clean it. I am doing
no one any favors, my son included, by allowing his room to remain in such an
appalling manner.
Take a day and teach everyone a new life skill. It can be anything. I declared one evening Life Skills
Night. My kids love this (totally
kidding). I usually just announce to the
house “Life Skills Night!!!” and they all groan.
But they laugh too.
And they do enjoy the attention from mom, even if they act like they don’t
care.
I helped my older daughter pour pancakes on a griddle. I showed my older son how to work the laundry
(again) and I explained the art of swiffering the floor to my younger son. My
youngest learned to load silverware
correctly in the dishwasher.
Family
Wiffleball/KickBall/Or Just a Walk
Get outside. Spring
is in the air. If you can’t arrange a
game to run around and get active, just go for a walk. Or a bike ride. Plan a day at a lake, or the park. The key is doing something together with no
electronics allowed. Even if you pull
weeds and put on the radio it’s going to make a difference.
Bring family time back to the center of your life. The kids
will start talking and sharing more about their day. You will go to bed
satisfied and feeling accomplished. You
will start to feel connected again.
I promise it will change everything.
