Ideal for strengthening your familial bond
The modern world presents modern dilemmas, and these aren’t only reserved for work; the modern family is faced with its own set of unique challenges, too.
Indeed, with the distractions of school, chores, the office and technology, families living under the same roof run the risk of spending scant quality time together. Moreover, with everyone deep in their screens rather than in conversation, whether it’s Dad on his iPad or the kids on their Playstation, finding the time to unplug and indulge in some meaningful moments as a family is an increasingly rare occurrence.
It shouldn’t have to be. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your familial bond, here’s 5 ways to spend quality time with your family this year.
EAT AND COOK TOGETHER
Whether it’s festivals like Easter, Christmas, Diwali or Songkran, or special celebrations like a birthday or anniversary, there’s no denying that time spent together over food can bring families closer together.
It’s essential, then, to have the family sit together at the table as often as possible, screen and worry free, to enjoy a freshly prepared meal and a gentle, genial conversation.
Planning, preparing and cooking family meals together is an excellent way to bond. Not only can this shared process bring your family together but it can also nurture an appreciation of healthy eating, a better understanding of ingredients, and of course, teach your kids some all-important life skills, too.
To inspire devotion and enthusiasm for this new regime, establish a routine within the week. Perhaps Monday nights are pasta night, Tuesdays are for tacos, and on Wednesdays, the family try out a new recipe from South East Asia.
Why not treat the family every Saturday, and cook a big breakfast; think waffles one weekend, pancakes another, a full fry up the next. Keep things interesting and make these Saturday breakfasts an event the whole family looks forward to.
Working our way through the week, and you’ve probably heard that the Sunday roast is a slowly dying tradition here in the UK, as families are unwilling to spend time in the kitchen, preferring to sit in front of the TV or play with electronic devices during mealtimes.
Revitalise this tradition that has always been about so much more than the food. Sundays are a time for everyone to gather and spend some quality time together after a tough week, and should be cherished. As the saying goes, families that eat together, stay together.
And if you want to be the parent who makes a gravy that keeps the kids returning to the dinner table time and time again, let us direct you to our article on 6 IDEAL tips to make gravy.
HELP WITH THEIR EDUCATION
The trials and tribulations of home schooling have been well documented since the beginning of the various lockdowns we’ve endured. However, the role of a parent in helping their kids with their education hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s more important than ever.
Fortunately, lending a hand with the homework or extra studying can also be something of a bonding exercise, whether you’re preparing them for a test by quizzing them on the relevant material or doing your best to remember your times tables!
That said, a study has found that 1 in 3 parents ‘feel ill’ when trying to help their kids with maths & science questions. If helping your kids with their homeworking is putting a strain on the harmony of the house, consider getting a maths tutor instead. Many qualified maths and physics online tutoring staff offer their unique teaching styles as freelance teachers, and can relieve some of the pressure should you be struggling with the minutiae of subjects that you haven’t studied in a while.
Read: 6 fun group activities IDEAL for looking after the wellness of your family
GET ORGANISED WITH A FAMILY CALENDAR & MEETINGS
We get that kids often have busy schedules – from dance to football lessons, friends’ birthday parties and much more. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and carving out some proper parent/child time can be tough. Tougher still is building a routine and sticking to it. Enter the family calendar.
The family calendar should not be reserved solely for pickup times, sleepovers and extracurricular activities. Schedule your family time in it, too – if it’s not on the calendar, chances are, it won’t happen.
We’re huge fans of the old fashioned and love a wall calendar in the kitchen where you can coordinate the whole family. Having a fortnightly check-in where you discuss what’s coming up and any forgotten events is a good idea. Use this time to check that all the family are happy with their schedules. You can also use the calendar to schedule some downtime and date nights. Speaking of which…
FAMILY DATE NIGHT
We all know the importance of couples having date nights. However, the same concept – of making a concerted effort to spend more quality time together – might be applied to families, too. Enter the family date night.
The best family date night includes something that everyone likes to do. Don’t alienate one member of the family by doing something that they don’t like to do – remember the point is to have fun together. Keep tabs on seasonal and special events in your area to maintain intrigue and excitement, and let different family members alternate in choosing the theme, place or event for the next night.
Setting designated family time and doing the same activities together can be a great bonding experience. Some activity ideas include:
- Watching a movie together
- A trip to the museum
- Playing a board game
- A new activity like rock wall climbing or biking
- Going to the fair or a theme park
- Having a picnic
- Taking a scenic drive
Really, any activity that’s designed to bring you together and have fun, without any motive other than enjoying each other’s company, is suitable. The key here is to ensure this time is free from distractions like mobile phones, so you can genuinely connect.
Read: How to improve your bond with friends and family
BOOK A STAYCATION
It’s important that everyone in the family has regular opportunities to decompress and reconnect. Just like adults, kids are not exempt from feeling the pressures of life and need a break, too. Taking a holiday is a great way to maintain harmony in a family because it gives everyone a break from their routines, in a new environment to enjoy and a new arena to communicate.
Rather than keep you from spending more time with your family, we’ll redirect you to these 7 staycation ideas for a weekend escape from London, for perusal at your own leisure. Good luck!
