3 Simple Tips for Spending More Time Together As A Family

Strong families spend a great deal of time together, and the time spent is not always in planned events. Just spending time, doing nothing in particular, eases our feelings of isolation and loneliness, builds rela- tionships, contributes to a feeling of security, and helps to create a sense of family identity.

Individual family members should find time when two people can do something together without the entire family present. Strong individual relationships between family members help the entire family feel more connected and stable.

Simple ways to spend time together could include eating meals together, doing household chores together, celebrating special events and holidays, and participating in community activities, indoor recreation (playing games, telling stories, working on puzzles) or outdoor activities (taking a walk, camping, picnicking).

Need some suggestions?

Try these things:

• Recall some of your happiest childhood experiences which involve spending time with your family. Try to recreate these types of experiences with your current family.

• Let the children help with household tasks, make them fun for everyone (doing dishes while blowing soap bubbles with a straw? Yes please!) and do these chores together as a family.

• Plan a fun, yearly family reunion – and make it easy for everyone to attend.

Spending more time together as a family and as individuals within a family takes conscious choice and effort, but the result can be a strong family that will keep each other stable through thick and thin!

If you need some extra guidance to find positive ways to spend time with your family, reach out today for the support of a licensed mental health professional.