Physical Family Time

Here it is another week night. Mom and Dad are just getting home from work. The kids are getting in from school. Homework has to be done. Dinner has to be prepared. The house needs to be straightened. Clothes and lunches need to be arranged for the next day. Stop! This family needs a break.

All of their tempers are short and the kids feel like mom and dad are too busy to pay attention. Some time away from all the hustle and bustle might be just what is needed in this situation. Some good heart pumping, stress relieving fun.

It might be good for this family to enjoy some family time together doing something physical. Their neighborhood is not a great place to walk due to traffic and lack of good sidewalks, so they jump in their vehicle and head to a local park. They walk for a half hour to an hour while dinner is cooking in the oven. They come home refreshed from the quality air and enjoy sitting down for a few minutes together over dinner.

It's not always going to be easy as some nights are filled with activities. But if a family can set aside time for physical activity two to four times a week, not only will their health improve, but their relationships might as well. They will learn to play together and work together to improve their physical well being. With such a demand on our time, the priorities of family time and physical activity can be combined.

I might be good to have each person give ideas for things they like to do so all of hte family members can have a say int he types of activities. One person might like to challenge everyone to a 5K walk/run. Some of the littlest family members might like to just dance and be silly to music or play catch with a ball. Even children in strollers might enjoy a family walk just to see the sights and hear the sounds outside. After making an effort to spend more active time together you will learn what is enjoyable to each family member.

One more option that is becoming quite popular is a game system such as the Nintendo WII. This system encourages family play time that is physical and can be done in the convenience of your home. There are a variety of games that can be purchased to build a regular video home gym; the one downfall of this is the cost. Many of the suggestions so far have carried a nominal fee, this on the other hand will take a financial investment.

Participating in physical activities together will diminish guilt for parents and benefit everyone both physically and relationally. The goal is to find something physical to do with children to help them develop healthy emotions as well as physical bodies.