Winter is a quiet time for reflection. As the embers of holiday cheer fade,
it allows us to see the things that need to be fixed. No, I am not
referring to that cabinet door in the kitchen or the leaky faucet in the
bathroom. According to a recent survey, the average family spends only 34
minutes together on weekdays.
If you are surprised to find your own family fits into that statistic,
there is no need to panic. Like fresh fallen snow, winter gives us a chance
at new beginnings. Take advantage of winter’s slower pace to reconnect with
each other. If you need some inspiration, take a look at these 12 ideas.
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Volunteer together – Working together for a cause makes a family
closer. Whether you have been touched by a foundation’s work or
just want to make a difference, it is a nice way to spend time
together as a family. Try running a family-friendly 5K or support
your local Ronald McDonald house by preparing a meal. -
Engage in creativity together – Gather around the kitchen table and
work on coloring pages. Build houses out of LEGOs or take a
painting class together. Expressing yourself through art not only
helps to relieve stress, but it’s a fun activity that you can do
over and over. -
Go outside – No matter what the weather, find time to connect with
the family outdoors. On sunny days, you can go for a bike ride or
play soccer in the backyard. If there is snow on the ground, build
a snowman. If it’s raining, grab your umbrella and take a walk.
Taking in the fresh air will clear your mind of everyday
distractions and make room for new memories. -
Several cooks in the kitchen – Think back to special times when
everyone was working together to prepare a meal you would all
enjoy. Cooking dinner together helps the picky eaters to see what
ingredients go into the meal and gives the normal cook a few extra
hands. -
Unplug after 5:00 – Work emails, social media and random texts
interrupt family time unnecessarily. With the exception of online
homework or a FaceTime call with Grandma, there is no reason that a
family has to spend the evening staring into their phones. Make it
a habit to unplug before dinner and make your only communication be
face to face. -
Practice random acts of kindness – Doing a kindness for someone,
especially someone not expecting it, will make both the giver and
receiver feel good. Help the people in your house by doing a chore
without being asked, handing over the TV remote to someone else or
giving up the best seat in the car. -
Date nights – While this may not sound like a family event, it is
equally important for families to have one-on-one time with each of
its members. This is true for the adults in the family as well as
Mom-and-Me-type dates with each child. Be sure to double the family
fun by planning a special evening at home for those staying behind. -
Slow down – There is something to be said about the families of
yesteryear who sat around the radio and listened to a story. They
had to use their own imagination to visualize the characters. Try
to recreate the same impact by listening to a book on CD and
putting together a puzzle together while you listen. -
Spark conversation at dinner – Go beyond “How was your day?” to ask
and answer thought-provoking questions like “What features do you
think will be on cars in ten years?” You can also play a game
asking everyone how well they know each other. Ask the family if
they know the name of Joey’s tutor or what Dad’s job title is. -
You-plan-it night – Once a week, one person will plan the way the
family will spend the night together. They will choose the menu and
an activity (all within a set budget, of course). Even
elementary-aged students can make a shopping list from a recipe and
look online for movie times. -
Set a goal and work on it together – Winter resolutions often
include changing a bad habit. Let everyone set their goal – lose 10
pounds, go to the gym three times a week, bring my math grade up –
and once a week at dinner check in to see how everyone is doing.
Share the ups and downs of your progress and lean on your family
for support or suggestions. -
Visit with the extended family – Continue to grow the family ties
long after the holidays are over. Plan outings with the cousins, a
couple’s dinner with the aunts and uncles or a regular game night
with the siblings. If you live far apart, try a Friday night
FaceTime or play video games together over Wi-Fi connection.
