How to Make the Most of Family Time

Invest in Family Meetings

Sit down as a family in a neutral space and have an empathic family meeting where the entire family, including the children, brainstorms how to create ways to participate in the family so that the family system works and is on a positive course. It is based on the premise that each member gets an established time to speak and an established time to listen, which is the best way to communicate.

Let go of perfection and focus on what’s important

Give up on being perfect and keeping an ideal house. Relationships are much more important and much more flexible than these goals. If you make mistakes and are easier on yourself, you open up a space for others to be more human and misstep occasionally. This will allow you to relax and truly enjoy your family time.

Build structure into your family’s day.

First, set an alarm clock, allowing you time to wake up yourself and your family. Make sure that everyone has enough time for personal hygiene, breakfast, and family time to chat a little before getting to school and work on time.

Spend time with your child the night before laying out their clothes for the next day. Give them a few options from which they can choose. Allowing your child to choose from options you have already pre-selected as acceptable helps build confidence and competence. This is also an excellent opportunity to connect and discuss their day with them.

Be a presence even when you can’t be present.

Be present for as many school-related and extracurricular activities as possible whenever possible. Children need you to be invested in them, and you need to know what is going on in their lives — school and social. But this must be done respectfully by maintaining healthy boundaries between you and your children. If you can’t be physically present, find a way to be there still and create ways to bond with your children.

Work Together to Reduce Stress

Learn how to relax and teach your child how to relax. It is simple! Simple exercises take the edge off and allow more enjoyable, quality time together.

• Meditate with your child using progressive relaxation techniques.
• Ask for help when needed. Kids love to chip in when asked. Learn to delegate. No one can do everything all of the time.
• Give each child privately, one-on-one time with you whenever possible.
• Don’t burden your child with your problems — let them have their childhood. If you need help, seek professional help and go to a counselor.

Read the complete article available at Thrive Global!

Reflection:

What are your thoughts on these tips? Would you implement some of them?

#Family #Communication #Growth #Bonding