spend more time with my family

Last month I spent almost every day with my family, and it was well worth the time. We got to learn new things together, and do things together, and really respond to each other on a better basis. So many times I think as parents we are scared to spend too much time with our children, maybe because they act up or because they are… well children. But I can now say without a doubt that spending that quality time with my kids has truly help thier behavior, since they don’t have to act up to get my attention. The only problem we would have was finding things to do, which isn’t really that hard. My kids really love the game Risk.
Going forward I’m making it a point to not get wrapped up with my work, and to actually set aside the time we need to be a family!
Best wishes to everyone on this task.

As a family we’ve made it more important to sit at the dinner table each night, and eat, talk and spend time together. After we eat I often read and we discuss what is read (poetry, literature, or even stories from magazines). My children have found this to be a special time, and they always want to use a table cloth and the china, even if it’s just a simple meal of rice and beans. We found that if the TV was on, our focus was not on the family. I hope that one day my children can remember back and say that they remember those dinner times.

Last night we had a fun night with the kids without TV. We had a great dinner, and after dinner we made cookies and played board games. The kids really enjoyed the time with the family and it was something special we will do every valentines day. I think it’s really important to make family rituals so you have something to look forward to.

I’m taking my family (wife and 4 children) on a Christmas Vacation to go and visit with my family in Philly. We will Road Trip, which will be fun, and great bonding time with the kids. I’m looking forward to the road ahead!

I’ve often heard people say Quality beats Quantity, but when it comes to children I feel quantity time is quality time, no matter what you do. I’m working on my schedule, and making sure I can be home to have dinner with my kids, something that’s been lacking for the past few weeks. Also I want to read to my children every night after they do thier homework. I’ll write back to update progress.

I’m making an effort to get up earlier, so I can spend time with my children before they goto school, in a less stressful environment (as opposed to the snooze rush, when I press snooze on the alarm, and have 10 minutes to feed them breakfast and push them out the door for school.) If I can spend at least 30 good minutes with them before school, and then goto work early get home earlier (7:30-5 rather than 9-7) I can help them with homework and eat dinner with the family. My life is rushed, no wonder I’m so tired, but spending time with my family is a must!
I’m currently re-ordering my 43 things and this is one of the top items. I’m going to make an effort to spend at least 30 minutes before school, and 2 hours when I get home during the week.

When I think about what priorities in my life take precedence, I have to say that spending more time with my family is at the top of my list. My day is hectic but I have to make a point of leaving work before 5:30 PM, so I can be home to have dinner with my family. I’m going to make a goal for the next 5 days to be home every night to have dinner, at the dinner table, with my family. I’ve heard all the experts say ” have meals with your family” and I believe in it, I just need to do it.