Family Time

Reading Sherri's blog about the family weekend challenge made me think of how we spend time together as families.  Life moves so quickly for everyone these days.  Making time to spend with family members may sometimes be one of the last things on many people's list. How do we make time with family - and make that time count? 

Involve your teen in planning family time together.  Discuss the things that must be done - like the chores, homework, etc.  But talk about the things that must be done - like grocery shopping - for the family and talk about ways to do some of those tasks together.  Planning menus for the week and doing cooking together accomplishes both doing chores and spending time together in a positive way. Exercising together is another way to do a "task" and also spend quality time together.  I am sure that you can think of other ways to combine work and time together.

Setting special times together is very important too.  Some families schedule a family night together where they always have dinner, or have breakfast together on a weekend day together.  Mealtimes are often times we can spend time with family.  Studies have shown that teens who spend dinnertime with family are happier and better adjusted. 

So start thinking about ways to spend time together - with the holidays fast approaching, I think combining tasks and time together may help everyone.

Dr. Debra

 

Comments

[C. Dwayne Shafer, MD, PhD]

One of my pet complaints about the way families interact (or, "Don't") is when they all get into the SUV, put on headphones, drop two DVD players from the roof, and then head-off to Grandmother's, six hours' drive away, and never exchange any communication of meaning.
I feel better now. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, Dr. Debra!

[Debra Atkisson Kowalski, M.D.]

Thanks for your comments, Dwayne. You are right on as far as I am concerned! I think that we have become so technologically oriented that we forget the basics which make life so meaningful - especially good communication!