School has been in session for about a month and a half and for me the time as just flown by. If you are like most families in the country between schools, sports, work, and other activities it is hard to find the time to connect as a family. So try implementing one of these five ways and start connecting with your kids again.
1. Limit activities. Children don’t need to be involved in a million different things to be happy. In fact recent research shows that too many activities can put a strain upon a child increasing their stress. Let your children know that they will only be allowed to participate in one activity extracurricular activity. I know a family with 6 kids that allow every child over the age of 8 to be involved in one activity. The mother’s reason “I every child was involved in multiple activities we would never have time as a family.” She recognizes that family time is more important than anything else. Other things teach children to do something, but family time teaches children values and who they are.
Limiting activities can be difficult for children. Especially if they have been involved in many activities. The oldest daughter in the family I previously mentioned recently had to choose between joining the volleyball team and voice lessons. She chose voice lessons because it was more important to her. Limiting activities requires children to choose the activity they value most and then provides time for family as well.
This rule doesn’t just apply to children. Many parents also engage in multiple activities each week. When parents are constantly attending other events they are neglecting the important family rituals that bond parents and child. Taking time for a date night each week is important but limit other time spent away from home to the necessities.
2. Turn off the T.V. If you are eating dinner together with the T.V. on then you are not really spending time as a family. Likewise while watching a movie or television show can be fun it does have its limits. Turn off the T.V. and spend time talking and playing together.
3. Eat dinner together. Eating dinner together sounds so simple and yet brings great rewards. It doesn’t matter whether you eat at 5 or 8pm, find a time that works for your family and then stick to it. This may mean that adjustments to schedules need to be made but it is well worth it. Researchers have found that families that eat dinner together have improved communication and better nutrition, their children are better adjusted and perform better in school. For more information read my blog Why Families Should Eat Dinner Together.
4. Have a fun night. Choose a night each week and set it aside for family. This means that even teenagers forgo other activities. Growing up we spent every Monday and Sunday night together as a family a tradition my husband and I continue. Since our children are young we also spend every Friday night as a family as well. Try varying your family night activities with movies, games, or doing something outside the home like bowling or sports.
5. Eat breakfast together. Try setting aside one morning a week where you meet together over breakfast. As a child my mother would make breakfast every Saturday morning at about 10am. We would meet together, laugh, talk, and plan the next week. Now my family has their weekly breakfast as well, which Dad usually cooks. A nice bonus for me.
See these related blogs:
Nature – deficit Disorder Plaguing Our Children