Make a Resolution to Spend More Time with Family

Life can get crazy sometimes. Family member's time is often divided between school, work, sports, church, chores and other activities. Amazingly, when we have so many resources at our fingertips to give us MORE time, we seem to have less and less.

The resolution to spend more time with your family is a noble one! When 1500 school children in a national study were asked what they thought made a happy family, their answers didn't include cars, a big house or lots of toys. All the answers had to do with doing things together as a family. Giving time is an important way to show love and appreciation and will build strong family relationships.

If you want to spend more time with your family this year, here are a few ways to make it happen.

Have Dinner Together
Many family experts stress the importance of families eating dinner together. A recent study showed that the more often children have dinner with their parents; the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Other reports have linked family dinner to higher grades. At dinner time, families can talk about the day's events. They can share their successes, and also feel safe enough, hopefully, to share their failures. Additionally, kids can benefit from having this one constant in their ever-changing routines. It can provide stability and security.

Family Night
Pick a night of the week and commit to have it be "Family Night". Don't schedule extra curricular activities for that evening and do something together. Play a board game, or pop some popcorn and watch a movie. Or, go out for ice cream or to the batting cages. Don't just sit and watch TV, do something together and make it special.

One on One Time
Take the time to spend time with each family member individually. This allows the child to feel special and important in the eyes of his or her parent. Go on a walk, or play tennis. Fries and a milkshake make a fun outing where parent and child can spend time talking with each other.

Read
Reading to your child is a wonderful way to spend time together. When you read to your child, you are doing much more than just "hanging out." Reading gives experiences of different types of language, rhythms and sounds. Additionally, research has shown that pre-school children who are exposed to a lot of language through books and conversation, tend to do better at school. Reading brings up the opportunity to talk about many topics that wouldn't normally come up in conversation. Reading is calming and a wonderful way to bond with your child.

Work Together
Let's face it, if you live in a house, there is usually some kind of work that needs to be done. Whether it's inside or outside, make it fun and teach life long skills by including the whole family. Next time you wash your car, let one of your kids squirt the car with the hose. They may not get absolutely every inch of the car, but they will have fun, and eventually, they will get better. Give little kids anti-bacterial wipes and have them wipe off all the door knobs. Kids will have a sense of pride from helping to keep the house clean and since you are doing it together, they will benefit from spending time with you.

Camping
Camping may not be everyone's first choice for vacation activity, but it's a sure way to spend lots of time together as a family. Without modern day distractions, there is not much to take away from spending time together. Go on a hike, fish or canoe. Cooking over a campfire and making s'mores will also make memories that last a lifetime, as well as build strong family bonds.

The important thing to remember is that all of these moments don't have to be "Norman Rockwell" perfect. There will, no doubt, be some bickering a long the way, and even plans that go awry. Keep at it and don't give up. Kids still get all the benefits of time spent together and will know they are loved and appreciated.