5 Ways to Improve Family Time Together
Summer is coming to a close, and the new school year looms right around the corner. Before we know it, our kids will be back in the classroom and our time with them will dwindle. Here are some simple ways to help improve that time together.
- Reserve one day a week for family day. This is a great policy to have all year long. Choose the best day of the week that will work for everyone. Stay in or go out. Play games or take a hike. Either way, this is the one day of the week that everyone sticks together.
- Take advantage of late summer deals. Scour the Internet for the best deals on places and activities that will be closing for the season. Deep discounts to Worlds of Fun and the Kansas City Zoo crop up as the summer season draws to a close.
- Do things that everyone will enjoy. There are times as parents we tend to do only what the kids would enjoy. We get relegated to pack mules and/or tour guides. Try to find things to do that you enjoy, too. Discover the balance between what they want and what you want. I like to mix and match—like going to a farmers’ market together, then going out for ice cream after. Everyone wins, and it makes for more enjoyable family time.
- Play games that don't need electricity. Movies, video games and tablets are everywhere. And believe me—my kids are big fans of all of it (Me too!). But every now and then, the best thing we can do is to turn all of it off and grab a deck of cards. Some of our best times together are when the only noise and entertainment come from us. If you just can't face another game of go fish or old maid, mix it up by finding rules for different card games. I suggest hate your neighbor, especially if you have older kids. Or go to the store together and buy a new board game that everyone can play.
- Cook and eat together. We have all heard the benefits kids get from a regular family meal around the dinner table. Take it a step further by choosing, buying and cooking the meal together. For families with young kids, this will take a bit of planning. But the act of making something together and seeing the pride on your children’s faces is well worth the extra mess.
Kerry Chafin is a freelance writer and mother of three from Independence.