Family Activiites that Enhance Parent's & Kid's Relationships

Things sure have changed in the last fifty or sixty years. Years ago families use to spend a lot more quality time together, which helped to create healthier and closer relationships among the family members. Family members today seem to go in their own directions, rarely spending little if any time together. Let's take a look at some easy everyday activities family members can do together to better their relationships and enhance family closeness.

Eating Dinner Together-

This seems like an obvious one, but then how come so many families just don't do it? Junior is sitting at the computer while eating. Sis is talking on the phone while she's eating. Dad is still at work, and Mom is sitting at the table alone, or watching her taped soap opera from earlier in the day. Yes, this unfortunately is all too common. Dinners together have been a way of a family relating and discussing their everyday lives since the beginning of time. I bet they even sat around on the cave floors talking about the big dinosaur that got away when Dad was out hunting for dinner. Dinnertime is the easiest time of all to try and make this effort. After all kids do love to eat. It must be a priority for parents as they are the ones that set the rules. At least they use too. So, At least during the week, and ideally on the weekends too, make it a must for all members of the family to sit down and eat together. Make it a time when all family members can talk about their day, and possibly even make plans for outings as a family. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how much closer your family will become. Family members must relate to each other on a daily basis to keep a healthy functioning family, and dinnertime is the perfect time to do it!

Family Board Game Night-

I know this sounds like a really tame night compared to video games where you can conquer the world, or destroy evil human beings, but it can be a lot of fun, and very relationship enhancing as well. Families that play board games together not only have a lot of fun, but they create a relaxed and easy going environment where family members can relate. You would be surprised at what you may find out about your kids while playing a board game. Are your kids sportsmanship skills in tact? Are they sore losers? Do they exhibit anger easily when not winning or getting their way? Yes, it really is a time for parents to see what type of human beings they are raising. Kids on board game night get to see that their parents care about them and are willing to spend time with them. They also get to see Mom and Dad in a different light. They're not disciplining, or yelling at them to clean up their room, or demanding answers to why they got a D on their report card. Yes, it's a relax time for all where family members can be on an equal level, and relate to each other in a fun way.

Watching A Family Oriented Movie Together-

Watching a movie together that's appropriate for all family members, and that might have a positive family storyline is a great idea for stimulating family values. It's a time that parents can talk to their kids either during short intermissions or after the movie about what goes on in other families, and what goes on in theirs. It's a perfect time to find out how kids see their family, and what they might like to change. Not too many kids think their families are perfect. Sometimes it's easier for kids to open up to what they want to say, when the family members have just watched a movie about something they might want to address to their parents. Yes, family oriented films can be a big help in finding out what kids want, and how they see their own families. It may even stir up some conversation among siblings that could be productive. So, get out the popcorn and pop in the movie for family movie night.

Theme Nights-

This is a popular choice among family members. Each member decides what a family will do for the night based on what they like. When family members go along with this it creates a sense of caring about what's important to each family member. As parents though you will have to consider what you may be able to afford, and discuss it with the kids beforehand. Pick a specific night of the week that is definitely viable for all family members. On that night every week a new family member gets to choose what they want the family to do.This type of activity will go a long way in showing kids as well as parents that all family members care about one another and respect that which is important to each. What fun, something new for you and your family to do every week. Sounds exciting to me!

These are just a few good suggestions to get you started on a new and betterrelationships with your family members. Nothing in life is a given, but there's a really good chance if you choose and stick to anyone of these suggestions, and ideally all, you'll find your family getting closer and closer, and each of you finding a new found respect and affection for all your family members!