With so many distractions and people constantly going in and out of your house all day long, there’s a good chance that your family isn’t able to spend a whole lot of quality time together. Maybe you’re here and just need a few fresh ideas? There are so many ways that you can spend quality time together, while there are several that don’t have to cost you anything. Check out how you could strengthen your family with these simple ways to spend quality time together as a family.
Time Around the Dinner Table
This is about the most important way that you can spend quality time as a family several times a week. Work schedules and ball games along with recitals make this difficult to do every evening, but be sure to make it a practice as many times as you possibly can each week.
Schedule a Family Night
Set a night on your calendar at least once a month where your family always spends time together. Think of it as a date, so it shouldn’t be ignored or canceled. Give your kids several ideas about what you all can do and let them decide.
Find a Hobby or Similar You All Enjoy
Try to find something or a hobby that your family enjoys doing together, and do it often. Maybe your kids and you love searching for hidden treasures? Geocaching is a great way to do just that, and it won’t cost you anything. Maybe you all simply love the beach? Make a day out of it often.
Clean Together
Cleaning stinks when you’re doing it alone and everyone comes behind you 5 minutes later only to mess it up again. Give a few chores to each child and you and your spouse, and knock them out quickly. And have fun doing it.
Plan and Head Out on Your Next Family Adventure
While mom or dad usually plans out all the vacations and kids usually just hop in the car, make them part of the planning process on places to go and neat things to see. This shows them that their opinion and interests matter to you, and that will go a long way.
Play Games Together
No, we’re not talking about playing video games. Find some time to sit down and play a board game or card game that takes their minds out of the virtual world, where they have to socialize and have fun the old-fashioned way. One of my favorite games is Kids Against Maturity, Double Ditto, and Not Parent Approved.
Enjoy Fresh Air with the Kids
Instead of watching your kids play ball in the yard, how about getting out there with them? Not only is it doing you some good, but it gives your children a chance to open up to you.
Have Family Outings More Often
While it’s nice to relax around the house on the weekends, eventually you’ll drive yourself stir-crazy. That, or the kids will. Head out for a night at the movies, or day hiking in a National Forest. Maybe you haven’t been to the skating rink in ages? Family outings are a great way to strengthen families and make life fun.
Spend Time Serving Together
At first, your children may not be too thrilled about helping serve in a soup kitchen or visiting a retirement home, but the sight of children tends to brighten people’s day when they see that others take time to care for them. This is one of my favorite ways to spend quality time together as a family.
Help Your Child With School Work
It’s important that you take an interest in your son or daughter’s homework. When they see that you care about it, and spend time helping them, they’ll be more eager to do a good job as well.
Which of these do you think your kids and spouse might enjoy doing together? What are some simple ways to spend quality time together as a family that you’d like to share?
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