So to say, we are all with our families the moment we reach home after work and before we come back to work. But how often do you come home from work and say a cheerful “hi” to all at home? When was the last time you paused to take the remote, and instead opted for a challenging game of chess with your kid? Probably your answer is, “I don’t really remember when the last time I did that was”.
With life turning increasingly hectic and tech savvy, quality family time has begun to shrink by the day. Here are 8 reasons how you can revive and enjoy the all fulfilling and unwinding family gala time….
1. Reserve time for the Family
Reserving time for your family does not mean being physically present but mentally absent. It means giving them your undivided attention which you otherwise give to your work. For once, switch off your mobile, shut down your laptop, switch off the TV and take up a open-house chat with all. It would be mentally and emotionally rewarding!
2. Know each one
If you are asked if you know your family well, you may answer, obviously. But hold on. Many psychologists say that we don’t know the truly significant things about the people we love and live with. Often parents tend to focus on practical family matters instead of exploring their own and their children's thoughts and feelings. Experts believe that family members may know one another's food habits and basic temperament, yet they remain emotional strangers. The trick, says, lies in talking about our hopes, ambitions, fears and goals with our family, as it would help forge closeness and understanding.
3. A Family with creativity
A joint endeavor can be stimulating if one selects something that everyone enjoys. For example, it would be fun to cooks together wherein each member would contribute to preparing one delicacy.
4. Develop rituals
A ritual can be anything from a family joke to an annual picnic to worshipping together regularly. This would give the sense of oneness and bonding and worshipping as a family would be the best way to instill and reinforce spiritual values.
5. Stories in real time
Its great to hear stories about those we know like how mum and dad met or how grandpa started his business or what was the most embarrassing incident on the aunt’s wedding. Also a bedtime family chat gives a chance to talk together. This keeps the “emotional health” of a family intact!
6. Bridge the gap
It is important to not lose the emotional link when children are away from college or a parent’s are always on the go, travelling for work or grandparents move away. Things one can do in such times include mailing cards and letters frequently, sending a recorded voice messages, writing a family newsletter and having everyone contribute news, thereby passing it onto the next family member.
