admin
Spending time with family is one of life’s great joys. Unfortunately, the very things that we do to support our families – cook, clean, go to work – means less time spent with them. But with a few small steps, you can increase the amount of family time you get without neglecting other responsibilities.
Sort the Small Things
Creating an organised storage system for small items like keys, phones, wallets and book bags – it might only save a few minutes every morning, but it can add up. A day that starts with quiet conversation is much more relaxing, for both you and your children.
Do Chores Together
If your kids are old enough to help, get them involved in household tasks. They may not be great at them, but they’ll enjoy doing the things their parents do.
Take The Night Off From Cooking
Sometimes, even half an hour in the kitchen is more than you can afford. If you feel like the pressure is on and time is tight, just order out. With a tool like the JUST EAT app, you can be ordering a Chinese restaurant delivery before you even get home.
Get Your Children To Play Your Games
Family board game nights are a great way to bring adults and children together. Many modern boardgames are cooperative, teaching the importance of both patience and teamwork.
Learn to Play Theirs
If your children love video games, spend some time playing alongside them. Not only will you be able to keep an eye on what they’re playing, they’ll be teaching you something new. You can turn a sometimes solitary activity into something fun and collaborative.
Schedule Family Time
If you eat together as a family, it’s easy to take it for granted and ditch it every time something else comes up. Schedule family mealtimes and don’t allow distractions; make eating together an event, and it will feel a lot more special.
Establish a Regular Family Activity
Jobs, home responsibilities, school and activities are always pulling a family in different directions. It’s important to let your kids grow and find their own interests, but family activities are important as well. Don’t try to insert yourself into everything your kids do, but keep one regular activity that you always do as a family.
Be Sensible About Commitments
If you’re struggling to find time to see your family, you may have to face the fact that you’re over-committed. Think seriously about giving up one or more of your obligations. This isn’t always possible – few people have the luxury of just walking away from a job, for instance – but it’s important to be honest with yourself. Have you bitten off more than you can chew?
Appreciate Small Moments
Little moments of family time can occur in unexpected ways; a cancelled event, a delayed train. Don’t let them slip by. They don’t happen often enough in our busy lives.
