In our fast-paced and digital society, it seems like families are drifting further apart. Parents find themselves working longer and longer hours, kids are glued to their mobile devices and quality family time is non-existent. Does this sound familiar for you and your family? Family time is important for your kids and you. It can have a profound effect on a person’s well-being and development. Humans crave interaction, and it’s important for our relationships that we find the time to spend in each other’s company. If you’re struggling for ideas, here are 5 that are worth trying.
Set aside one night every week as a family night. Let everyone know what night it’s going to be so that they can clear their schedules. Keep to the allotted day and don’t let anything get in the way. There are lots of things you can choose to do together, from watching a movie at home, going bowling, or have a games night. While you’re enjoying various activities together, take the opportunity to talk about your week. It might pay to ban mobile devices for the evening so that everyone can concentrate on interacting.
Family holidays can sometimes be stressful; however, they can also leave you with some of the best memories. There may well come a time when your teenagers no longer think it’s cool to be going on holiday with their siblings and parents but try to stave this off for as long as possible. You don’t have to spend a fortune either. Rent a cabin, go camping, visit amusement parks or have a staycation.
This is something you can start when your kids are really young, and it’ll very soon become a regular occurrence. Getting outdoors in the fresh air hiking, boating, fishing, cycling, or running are fun things to do as a family. As well as working on your relationships as a family you’ll be getting lots of sunshine and physical activity.
Introduce a new family tradition of going to the theatre once a month. You might have to make a weekend of it if you don’t have a theatre nearby, but this is just another opportunity to spend quality time together. Research what’s happening in the theatre world and encourage your children to pick something they’d like to see. It’s possible to buy cheap London theatre tickets online, so don’t worry about breaking the bank.
The kitchen is the heart of any home so make sure you spend lots of time there together. If you’re making dinner, ask one of your kids to help. When you’re planning the weeks meals ask for everyone’s input. Having the help of your little darlings may mean it takes a little longer to prepare a meal, but it’ll be worth it. Not only is it good to spend time together, you’re also preparing them for later in life. You never know, they might even thank you for your family cooking lessons.
There are many different ways you can bring the family together. It doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. Don’t make it a big deal of it but take the time to do it on a regular basis. Everyone will enjoy life better if there are opportunities to enjoy life with those you love first.
