current events

Families with children of any age can start talking about current events in age appropriate terms. It helps kids to learn what is going on in the world around them, it broadens their perspective, it even builds vocabulary. It helps mom and dad share and pass on family values. Talking about current events with kids can be a very important ideal done in a very casual way, which in turn makes it more likely that kids will be interested, listen and learn.

hiking

Family hikes together do not have to be some big expedition. My nephews and I have had a good time hiking each weekend at local parks and even a field out near our house. Some of our parks have trails which give it a feel of a "hike" more but even walking out in the field took a good long time. Just find somewhere to explore together and take a hike!

On the Sunny Side

The article written by Victor Flowers

Our weather over the last week has been positively dreadful! Although its winter and I fully expect that the sun won’t shine every day this time of year, a whole week of rain and no sunshine has been depressing. Thank goodness for Dish Network! At least I have something to keep me entertained on these days when it is too nasty to go outside or get in the car and go anywhere. Any time I want something to watch, all I have to do is check the channel guide and find something exciting. Lately I’ve been watching the travel channel. They’ve been running a series on exotic sunny locations and boy has it made my days! I figure if I can’t see the sunshine through my windows at least I can see it through my television. Yesterday’s episode was about Jamaica. What I wouldn’t give for a trip there this time of year. Gorgeous sandy beaches, warm blue water, and a full service resort at my disposal is just what this time of year ordered!

family dinners

I have read time and again how important it is to have regular family dinners together. Meals where everyone is present and seated together. These meals may not actually be dinner and they may not be every day. But making them a regular part of the family routine is healthy for everyone. There are many reasons why, and you can read them in many sources. But sometimes it is hard to make family meals work. Some good ideas can be to have two or three times a week set aside for family meals, no interruptions. Having a meal together for breakfast can achieve the same goal. Or even when worse comes to worse, eating together out or even in the car on the way to the next event, or at the next event at least stopping for a few minutes to sit together and share a meal, time and conversation is a perfect family bond-building activity.

decorating the tree

Sometimes family traditions are hard to change. As the time drew near this year to decorate the Christmas tree, I told my daughter to go ahead and put her ornaments on and when her brother got home from college he could add his if he wanted. She refused saying that she would just wait til he got home to do hers; that is just the way it is supposed to be! So for now our Christmas tree stands bare with nothing but lights. And there is a family night that awaits us to decorate the tree.

surprise

Many people think that surprises are good. And maybe a family surprise can be pulled off and even enjoyed. After a family surprise this weekend in which I did not respond with the best composure, I am not sure that all surprises are in order, even if done with the best of intentions. I hope that in the future I will handle the surprises which I face with more composure and grace than I did this weekend.

pride

One thing that sometimes gets overlooked is telling our kids how proud we are of them. My husband called me today to tell me about something our son, who is away at college, did for someone last week that was really an encouragement. We would never have known about it if this lady did not tell my husband about it. My husband then told me how proud he was that our son did that. I told my husband to be sure and tell our son. He said of course he would. I know that kids love to feel their parents' pride and it is an important aspect of the family. It's never a bad time to tell kids of your pride for them.