5 Secrets of Fun Families (Make Every Day Special)
Too often, people fall into the trap of taking their family for granted. It’s easy to do. After all, you spend every day with them—some people spend the majority of the day with them. It might be difficult to envision life without them. If you were to stop and think about how everyday life would change without a member of your family present, though, you’ll likely realize just how important it is to make the most of family time. You can’t plan a family reunion or vacation every single day, but you can have fun with your clan and strengthen ties every day. Here are a few ways that close families stay so tight-knit, ones that you can incorporate into your own family time:
- They create traditions. When you spend a lot of time with your kids, spouse, relatives, or all of the above, traditions will probably arise naturally. Of course, there are always the traditions that have been passed down from your parents—holiday gatherings, special recipes, etc. But you should also keep an eye out for opportunities to make your new traditions with your own partner and kids. Traditions can be something as small as going out to eat every Sunday afternoon to larger endeavors, like an annual family vacation somewhere new.
- They celebrate as much as possible. The most committed families know how to support each other, and celebrating accomplishments is a big factor in that. The trick is not to just applaud kids for a major milestone, but also to let them know that even small efforts are appreciated. You don’t have to throw a huge bash every time your child earns an A, but you could reward him with some one-on-one time at a mini golf course for a year’s worth of straight A’s.
- They’re spontaneous. If your clan has a strict schedule that can’t be broken, it might be time to pull back. Sometimes the sweetest moments are had when you allow spontaneity to take control. Try to deviate from your schedule every now and then and take the family somewhere fun and unexpected. Maybe it’s just going out for a movie on a school night, or perhaps taking the whole brood to a paint-your-own pottery studio.
- They don’t sweat the small stuff. Families grow and learn together, so there are bound to be a few bumps in the road along the way. Just remember that that’s exactly what they are: bumps, not roadblocks. Don’t lose your temper or dole out harsh punishments for relatively unimportant offenses. You want to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and understanding in your family in order to keep time together easy and fun, so move on quickly after patching up minor arguments or issues.
- They blur the lines between play, learning, and work. You might have a hard time getting your kids to do their math homework, but you’ll probably be able to convince them to go to a fun, colorful math and science museum. Likewise, your children probably won’t be too keen on cleaning up their toys—unless you make a game out of it, set to their favorite music. Constantly be on the lookout for ways you can teach your kids academic and work skills in a way that you both can enjoy.
7 Secrets of Fun Families [Parents]
Why Having Fun with Family is Important [iMom]
