A family day can have positive benefits in a marriage. Let me tell you how.
Yesterday we had a family get together. The excuse, not that we needed one, was partly a birthday but also Father’s Day. As our son and daughter live a few hours away and have other commitments on Sunday, Father’s Day was celebrated a day early.
We had a family picnic and for once we managed to get a perfect day. Often when we plan picnics, the weather turns cold or windy, but yesterday was a magic spring day. The sun was smiling and so were we.
Our picnic spot was at a park near the beach and pool at Thirroul. We set up under shade under the trees away from too much exposure to the Aussie sun, though we did have to still apply sunscreen especially to the children. We also had to play musical chairs and move every now and then as our shade kept moving.
We shared our picnic lunch to which everyone contributed certain items. Then it was gift time.
Afterwards the grandchildren had a place to ride their bikes and also enjoyed playing on the play equipment. We adults relaxed in the shade and chatted, while still keeping them in sight all the time.
It’s lovely to be able to sit and chat with our son and daughter and their respective spouses and to watch the way they interact in their marriages and also in raising children. It’s great to realize we played a part in making them in the man and woman they are and having some input into their marriages by the example of our own.
For those of you with young children, let me urge you to continue with good parenting, communication and positive examples in your marriage. It really pays benefits down the track.
It’s also great to share special family times, where we can just enjoy each other’s company, to hear them talk about work and the things they are involved in, children and their antics, or talk about books, CDs, football, hobbies, TV shows, current events, parenting or any other interests.
Later we all took a walk down onto the beach and the grandchildren enjoyed paddling in the water.
So while today will be a quiet Father’s Day with just Mick and me on our own, which will also be nice, yesterday was great. Really it doesn’t matter which day special times are celebrated, it’s important that they are and a good excuse to get family together.
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