Making the Most of Family Time

Busy moms know exactly what it's like to rush home after a hectic day at work and have to immediately jump right into cleaning the house and getting dinner on the table for our families. Our lives are so hurried and stressed, there's just no time to relax and unwind at the end of our busy work day before beginning our second job at home. We know how it feels to be at the end of a long, exhausting day, when all we want to do once we get home is relax and unwind by having a long, luxurious soak in a bubble bath. But of course it's time for the evening shift at home. However, we need to take a moment and realize that our kids haven't been with us all day and they need those few minutes of bonding time. The first ten minutes we're at home could set the mood for the rest of the night. You are allowed to take those few minutes of 'me' time before beginning things at home. In fact, it's important that you down shift a gear for your own well being. First of all, take a minute and say hello to your kids, give them a hug, make eye contact and inquire about their day. This is all very important behavior and lets those you love know that you are there for them. Plan some unusual afternoons at home a couple of times a week. This is a wonderful way to break the monotony of everyday life and it allows you and your family to reconnect with each other.

Over the years, my family and I have tried many interesting and unusual ideas for changing 'the norm' of every day afternoons we spend at home together. Every now and again we'll designate a night that we do everything backwards. So instead of rushing home to do housework, cook dinner and get homework done, we'll skip the chores, put on our pajamas and play monopoly or trivial pursuit until dinnertime. For dinner we will usually order in takeout and watch videos until bedtime. This allows us all to forget about the rules for a short period of time and to spend quality, family time together reconnecting. Other days when we've all had a particularly hard day, I'll lay a blanket on the living room floor, a ton of pillows and put out everybody's favorite finger foods and we'll all stretch out and watch videos while munching on junk foods until eventually we fall asleep. The next morning we all wake up together cuddling and make breakfast before beginning our day. Some afternoons I've been known to surprise them with day trips to the movies or to the park and library, this is a treat for them because they get a reprieve from doing homework and chores for the day. Another great activity that allows us time to reconnect not only with each other but with also, are long afternoon walks around the neighborhood collecting pinecones, pecans, honeysuckle and flowers from neighbors yards (make sure you always ask your neighbor for permission ahead of time), which we then take home and use for scrap booking family in our family albums. My girls especially love this activity. Usually about 2 days a month I'll plan surprise fishing trips for my kids because they all love to fish. We'll pack a picnic lunch and head to the lake as soon as I get off work. Many nights we stay all night on the lake so make sure and brings blankets or even a tent and lots of snacks and drinks.

Some of my fondest memories of growing up are the nights I spent at the lake with my mom and uncles while they fished. I want my kids to grow up with those same fond memories of their childhood. It's important to have traditions as a family. It's also important to spend time with your children and create lasting memories together, times they will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.