You can find serenity in committing to improve family life by having dedicated family time.
A family is a special and unique thing in human existence. In modern times, our families come in more configurations than once imaginable. One thing that has not changed from the first family in existence to the newest family created today is that family time is precious.
Almost everyone understands that families are precious. However in modern times with work, play dates and all the other obligations each member of the family has outside the home, families are spending less and less time together. Often even when the entire family is in the house at the same time, they are not spending time together. Often each person is involved in solo activities on computers, video games, books or other hobbies. Today is a great day to take the time to commit to improving the quality of life for your family by having dedicated family time.
The concept of date night is common to most people. Date night is the idea that married couples set aside a certain amount of time and dedicate it to dating one another. Couples who establish a date night routine pick the date night and those nights are precious and are not canceled for any reason. A similar approach should be taken when it comes to family time. Pick an appointment time for family time. Whatever day and time you pick, make it a time when the entire family can get together. Once this time is set, family time must happen. Other activities should not be allowed to intrude on this precious time. Then what happens will vary depending on your family’s taste.
At our house, Saturday afternoon is family time. We have a routine that we all have come to expect and depend upon. First, my husband will start to play YouTube videos of old music from his childhood. Then the children and I will make requests for other music videos. We will all sing, dance and laugh at each other. Next, we will watch movies together. We start off with movies the littlest members of our family will enjoy and as the day moves on, the little ones fall asleep we watch movies that are increasingly grown-up such as PG-13 for my son. Then he will leave my husband, the Spelie, and myself. We will watch something more grown up with the Spelie then kick her out and watch a movie just for my husband and I. The entire family will eat snacks, some healthy and some not. We are working towards having all healthy snacks. Between the music, the silliness and the snacks, it is a really fun time. I am hoping that these Saturdays are creating memories my children will treasure all their days. I hope that one day, they will turn down invitations from me because it is family time at their house.
Today, take time to consider family time for your family. There are no hard and fast rules. It doesn’t have to be an entire afternoon of screen time like my family enjoys. There are a myriad of activities you could do as a family:
- Scrap booking
- Rollerblading
- Hiking
- Shopping
- Bowling
- Cooking
Pick an activity that you like or try something you have never done before. It doesn’t matter. The important part is for you to take time and do things as a family. Start having a special and sacred family time for your family. Do it for a period of two to three months. Then step back and see how things have improved with your family. Look to see if your family members have begun to look forward to family time and even enjoy it.
In conclusion, you can find serenity in making a commitment to improve your family life by having dedicated family time. So, the question for you this serene day is, what can you do to improve life for your family.