Are you and your family bored? Have you wondered how things got so far off track? You’re far from alone! Especially in single parent families or families where both parents work, it’s easy to find yourself in a rut when there’s so much to be done at work and at home.
Just as a flower needs water and sunlight, families also have requirements before they can really blossom.
Try these ideas to meet those requirements and help your family bloom:
1. Be fully present.
2. Plan some fun.
Give your family your full attention when the time calls for it. Avoid watching TV, talking on the phone, or texting when playing a board game with your kids. You and your children will both benefit when your entire focus is on them during an enjoyable pastime.
Try to do at least one fun activity every day. It’s good for everyone to relax and laugh. At least once a month, plan something bigger. Go someplace new for dinner or check out a new park. It can be challenging, but try to do something that everyone will enjoy.
* Another idea is to let each person in the family have a turn planning the family outing. That way, everyone is involved and feels that they contributed.
3. Fully invest yourself in your family.
Everyone says that family comes first, but how many of us actually live our lives that way? Are you more concerned with work or your social life than with your family? Families require a true commitment to be at their best.
* Children and spouses that feel neglected are never what they’re capable of being. Everyone is better when they know they are loved.
4. Plan for the future together.
5. Have meaningful conversations.
Discuss what you’re going to do for summer vacation or spring break. Talk about where you want to live and what you want your lives to be like. Children frequently feel like they’re just along for the ride; include them in these discussions. Spouses feel best when they know there is a plan that they contribute to.
When you were a child or a teenager, did you feel like your family knew you well? Probably not. Most likely, your children feel the same way. It may seem too formal to sit down across from each other and talk, so work conversations into other times. Talk while having dinner or riding in the car.
* There are plenty of opportunities for conversations if you’ll simply take advantage of them. Remember your partner, too. People drift apart primarily because they don’t communicate meaningfully with one another.
It can be easy to fall into a family rut if you’re not regularly taking steps to prevent it from occurring. Make plans to regularly spend quality time together. Fun activities and meaningful conversations are the easy way to start and can go a long way towards pulling everyone back together.
Decide to truly make your family a priority. Start with just a few of these tips and then move forward from there. Everyone will benefit, and you can fall asleep each night with the comfort of knowing that you’re an important force in the happiness of your family.