Making family time, quality time
According to one study it was found that unstructured children's activities have declined by 50% over the part 20 years. Furthermore, dinners together as a family have declined by 33% and family vacations have declined by 28%. The need to place more importance on the quality time that a family spends together is more important now than ever before. Below are some examples of how we can prevent our families from becoming another statistic by making family time, quality time.
- Go to church - Studies have shown that a family that attends religious meetings together feels more connected with each other. Religious meetings that are held on a regular basis also promote feelings of belonging and a sense of community.
- Be an example - Your kids learn by observation. Teach them about the importance of balancing work and play. Demonstrate how relaxation can be fun and that you do not always have to be doing some sort of structured activity to have a good time.
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- Think of your kids - As you think of new quality family activities consider the interests of every member of the family. Make sure that you incorporate the things that your children really want to do and not what you think they should want to do.
- Have dinner together - If your lifestyle is such that you cannot put a home cooked meal on the table every night start small. Start by making a special dinner one night a week. Special dinners can be very simple; you do not need to be a gourmet chef. What you do need is some creativity and imagination. Have a picnic, eat breakfast food for dinner, or eat by candlelight.
- Encourage playful competition - Don't make competition a requirement in every activity. Spend time with your children with no goal in mind other than spending time together.
- Take family outings - Even if it is just a walk around the block, put your shoes on and get out of the house with your family. Every once in a while plan a family activity that you can all do together. A good activity could be as simple as going to a park or a special event like attending the circus. Other good ideas could involve participation in the arts by attending a music, art or dance performance. Live performances allow children to develop an appreciation for talent away from the television screen.
- Allow for breaking the rules - Rules are necessary in order to maintain a safe and healthy home. But occasionally breaking the rules can be a special treat for your kids. On a weekend, rent a movie and allow your kids to stay up later watching it. Another idea would be to wake everyone up extra early and go somewhere so you can see the sunrise. Break out of the norm and do something that you haven't tried before.
- Take a family vacation - Family vacations can be a once a year event if you do not have the means to make them more frequent. Vacations are times to be 100% dedicated to your family. Leave work and school behind for just a few days and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the job of being with family.
- Strive for open, non-hurried, and inviting communication - Allow your children to ask questions frequently and be willing to listen to and answer those questions. We can learn a lot about our children by listening to what they have to say. Do not miss the important opportunities that you have to learn more about your family, no matter how frequent or infrequent they may be.
