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Finding Family Time When There is No Time

Family time was a staple of life in times past. Unless you lived in one of the few larger cites life was centered on a small community primarily made up of families. Families were generally at home in the evening, so family time was an almost inevitable part of life. It wasn’t something for which parents had to plan and strategize.

Let’s fast-forward a hundred years. Having adequate time together is now a challenge for most families. Unless parents are deliberate about their choices, family time is basically non-existent in most homes. And yet most parents would say they believe in the importance of family time. So how do you find family time when there is no time?

Make It a Priority
This might sounds obvious, but family time will never happen until it becomes a stated priority. Unless you intentionally carve out time and refuse to allow other commitments or activities to take its place, family time will continue to be elusive.

The first step is deciding that there IS time for family time. The problem is that something else has overtaken that time. So what has taken over family time in your home? Outside activities? Homework? Church commitments? Volunteer activities? Jobs? Start by evaluating exactly what is dictating your family schedule.

Set a Goal
Next, you need to set a goal. What kind of family time are you hoping for? One night a week with everyone home together? Two nights a week? Five nights? What do you want to accomplish with the family time? Family worship? Reading a book together? Or, just being home together and not running around? Determine your specific goal.

Involving your children in this step can be a powerful way to help them buy into the idea of family time. If they are accustomed to being on the go all the time, the idea of slowing down and spending time at home as a family on a regular basis might seem strange. But if you explain the reasoning behind it, you might be surprised at how quickly they buy into the changes you are endeavoring to make.

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Better or Best?
After getting an idea where all your time is going and choosing a goal you would like to meet, carefully evaluate which activities and commitments fall into the category of “better” and which ones fall into the category of “best.” If you have decided that family time is important, then family time should be the first thing listed in the best column.

It can be very challenging to sort out what’s better and what is best. Not everyone may agree. It might take some discussions and negotiating to determine which activities and commitments should stay and which need to be reconsidered. Allow everyone to voice their opinions, especially regarding activities that impact them the most.

Pray and Make a Plan
Throughout the entire process, ask the Lord to direct your discussions and decisions. Ask Him to provide wisdom, insight, and discernment so you make the best choices for your family. Pray for your children to understand why you are doing this and for them to be cooperative and willing to have their own lives impacted.

Then make a plan. Determine how you will make your goal a reality and then stick to it. Family time should be scheduled just like any other important commitment. Try to make it a non-negotiable, especially for the first month or two. That way it becomes routine for your family. Once you begin to live out your family time plan, it will probably become so valuable that no one will want to give it up!

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