Family and Parenting: Information For Families

Imagine a world where everyone cooperated, everyone worked in unison, lending a voluntary hand to anyone in need. What kind of a world would that be? What changes would we see in each culture, in each group, in each individual?

The amazing facts of oneness can be seen in those who live the ideals. What an amazing world this would be if everyone worked in cooperation. But here we are in the real world. And though we may not be able to affect the whole of the world we do have the power to change our world. The world of family. The world of home.

We can affect the way our children and grandchildren affect those around them, and how the interaction between the family is orchestrated. By giving a guided example of the properties in unity we give a guiding hand to those we love.

When a family works together in unison it becomes the most beautiful affair. The sometimes hectic times of just preparing the family for work and school can become a seamless event everyday. Dinnertime can even become a time of unity. The responsibilities of the family can be leveraged amongst the whole, divided equally, and shared by everyone. So the daily tasks that can sometimes overwhelm one become easily accomplished by all.

This beautiful unison can be accomplished with daily doses of organization and sharing. By applying a family fun day, a family calendar, a family chore chart, and above all else by showing love at all times in all circumstances, your family can be the family of unity, cooperation, and almost tactile equality.

Simple changes to organization can create a unified family. If your goal is to create a smooth-sailing family life then these simple processes are worth your consideration. If you have an infant child then it would work to your benefit to have any older children work with you on the household chores. Even small issues such as working as a family to make and lay-out dinner can be a special event in bonding and organization. The simplest tasks can become the best times to grow as a family unit. It is in your best interest as a parent or guardian to take advantage or every little moment in the effort to create your organized, cooperative, and solid family.

You’ve decided that it’s time for a family getaway. Maybe not a cruise ship trip to the Bahama’s, but a getaway that is worthy of the weekend.

Begin by having a family meeting. Discuss the idea of the outing and ask for input. Maybe there is a place that the children have been hearing about at school and have their sites set on that. Get opinions out in the open. It is the best way to make sure everyone is happy. It may be harder to pinpoint your destination if everyone is asking for something different, but compromise goes a long way. Find a common place that will be in the middle of all requests if it gets a little too out of place.

Once you have found common ground, a place that appeals to everyone you are getting closer to the safe zone, the place of no disappointment. If you do not choose the venue careful there may be hurt feelings and that is what should be avoided. If it seems possible to find a town that has multiple attractions, shoot for that.

You can make things easier by going to one venue that pleases some, and follow it with a visit to another place that pleases the rest.

If your children are in different age groups then it becomes even harder. If you can find a museum that offers rides, or an amusement park that offers activities for younger children, like a water park, then you may very well be able to easily please everyone.

Remember to take activities for the ride. It is very likely that unless the venue is 10 minutes away there will be some anxiety about the arrival. (“Are we there yet?”) Bring some pocket-sized games, or make up a game along the way. There are several forms of treasure hunting you can do in the car, or “I Spy” works great with younger kids. Just keep the creativity flowing and the entertainment will last through the trip.

Pack snacks and drinks, of course. Prepare for the meals that may not be complementary at the destination. Bringing a back up cooler is always a good idea. Throw the football in the car for any dull moments that may arise. Bring a frisbee, or a deck or cards just in case the inevitable delay occurs.

But most of all enjoy the company of your family. Family outings often go a while in between before they come back around, so enjoy the time while you can, and enjoy your family.

Togetherness is a crucial part of a healthy family. Our lives can be very hectic, but by making time to be together as a family, you are preserving the relationship that you have together.

You can easily help your family stay strong, and connected, by setting simple strategies into place. You are not setting rules, you are instilling values. By keeping your family close you are showing and teaching your children a way of life. These ways can not be paid for, or replaced, these are ways that will flourish into traditions, and one day be passed onto your grandchildren.

With agendas flying in all directions, and hectic work and school schedules, it can be far too easy to slip off of the track and find yourself in a home of confusion and lack. Too much television, video games, and computer time can cause separation. These things can become not only distractions but they are walls that will builds barriers between you and your own family.

Begin setting a nightly week for a family meeting time. Gather everyone around, not part of the group, everyone needs to be present or it is not a true family meeting. Prepare snacks, have the kids help make them. Prepare hot cocoa or finger sandwiches and homemade milkshakes. Next, begin sharing. Not just discussing your day at school or work, but use this time for planning, discussing any concerns that may arise, openly share yourselves and your feelings. This is a time for bonding, a time to help one another by opening up in hopes that the whole family is stronger as a unit than as individuals.

Begin a team, like a sports team, but a family oriented team. Make an assigned delegation of chores, obligations, and responsibilities. Make every aspects of this a negotiable operation. No one goes without a voice (except the pets). Make up charts. You could even spend one family night using glitter, stickers, and old scraps of paper, to design and create the family chore/responsibility chart. Make it a family endeavor.

Use this time to set-up short term goals for each person. Arrange plans for upcoming events such as kindergarten graduation party, birthdays, cook outs, etc. Make everyone feel involved and a part of the integral unit. You are truly all in this together and the responsibility should not be forced on one person (usually the Mother). This way even the children will become excited about making their bed because it becomes their territory. When a pact is made and the territory is drawn it creates unity and excitement. Let that excitement become apparent in your family, let the love reign.

What better way to bring your family together than by doing something good for others. There is no better way. Since activity is the fruitful action that causes togetherness, putting the focus on helpful endeavors can be extremely valuable. This will not only bring you together as a group, a unit, a family, but it will also instill the values of giving into your children.

There are always community walk-a-thon’s happening in the warm months of spring and summer. Whether it is for cancer awareness, autism walks, marches of dimes, just find a cause that your family can sit down and agree on, and fight to bring togetherness and giving into your home. Take a night, one night out of the week, to have a full discussion on the subject. Ask for opinions, and give advice. Make the reason for the sit-down to be finding and agreeing upon a few charitable events, causes, and activities that the family can do together.

Make sure that the causes reflect some of your families values. Make sure the activity is not beyond the capabilities of the individuals. If there are community fund raisers that cause you to walk door to door, but you have young children, it may be best to find another event that is more suited and more age-appropriate.

If there are three or four summer walk a thon’s happening in a local town, and your family is active, then gather some funding from friends, family, and church members and go walk that mile. Just think how much good you will be doing. Instead of one donation you are multiplying the amount of donations by the number of members in your family.

If there is a bake sale going on and it will be funding the local VFD, get together with your children, and make a big mess in the kitchen making cookies, cakes, and chocolate bars! Have fun with it. You will bring your family together by helping others. There is no better feeling than helping someone else and giving of yourself.

Set up a craft night. Make snacks for the occasion and start making small crafts and cards for the elderly at a local nursing home. Have a ‘card night’ where you and the children write and make anonymous get well cards for the local children’s hospital. There are so many good things that your family can do. The possibilities are endless.