Tag Archive for: family time

Happy July 4th!

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Happy July 4th!

 

One of the best parts of a holiday is the time together with family and friends. It is a remarkable time to connect about our values and what we hold dear. Take a moment today to reflect on the importance of freedom, democracy, and unity. Spend time today sharing stories about family traditions or what Independence Day means. What events did you attend as a young person? What celebrations meant the most over the years to you? Connect to the time frame, what global situations occurred, and how that shaped the country at the time.

 

This holiday gives us an opportunity to reflect on gratitude. Express gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities enjoyed as a family and as Americans. What are you most grateful for today and always?

 

Wishing you a day together with friends and family celebrating the joys of being an American. Enjoy a hot dog, ice cream sundae, and fireworks!

 

Family Mottos with Meaning

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Family mottos family values

 

In our 21st century lives, families are transforming daily.  Families are adding members, refashioning who is a family member and reinventing family structure.  Just how do we keep sharing our family values, inviting inclusiveness and minimizing destructive and hurtful conversations?  Having a family motto helps all your family define what’s important.

 

Family mottos not family bickering

It’s all too often we find ourselves saying, keep your hands to yourself and pick up your stuff. We can fashion that into a family motto that shares how we respect each other and take care of our belongings.  It’s more about how we treat each other that we want to convey to our family.

Here’s some family mottos ” Read more

3 Tips for a Productive Family Meeting

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3 tips for productive family meetings

 

 

School is in full swing.  Your kids have after school scouts and ballet.  Your work requires extra hours and your partner travels. How do you pull together your family for cohesiveness an collaboration? It’s time for your family meeting!   Follow these three tips for a productive family meeting.

What is a family meeting? It’s a time everyone gather together to share their upcoming activities, share family responsibilities, plan ahead as a family and have some family fun.  Set aside the eye rolling from either your kids or your partner as family meetings are an important way to stay on top of what is going on and prioritize your family unit.

 

Keep it short

No one wants to sit for hours in any meeting. Keep a quick agenda for your meeting. Start the meeting promptly and run through the calendars of each family member. Record this on a month at a glance calendar, either digital or paper.  This part of the meeting should be limited to 20 minutes max.Post it prominently where everyone sees the calendar regularly.   (Near food is good!)

 

Focus on positive communication

Next move on to family fun. Alternate who gets to choose the fun, including mom and dad.  Have a list of possible activities, in case there is dissension.  Whether it is a good old fashioned kick ball game, a walk, or a fabulous dessert, focus on positive communication and sharing.  There are no wrong answers to having fun! Acknowledging feelings and active listening create collaboration in families.  Promote a team attitude by working together and playing together.

 

Set a time that works

Family meetings can be any time of the week.  Setting aside a time to meet consistently is important.   It can be when your family is gearing up for the week, such as early Sunday evening.  It can also be when you are gearing down from the week, like Friday evening. Be sure it is a time everyone can attend and guard this time from other distractions.

 

My own kids recall our family meetings to this day! It has sparked their own versions in their homes, including High, Low and Dirt. This nightly conversation starter in my son’s  home has to do with what was good, bad and just plain interesting in their and their kids’ lives that day.

 

When can you start hosting a family meeting in your home?

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