Where's Family Time?

Tips For How You Can Bring Your Family Together For Some Family Bonding Time.

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

Sometimes I feel like I never even see my family all together anymore! With five kids and a husband, who all have packed-full schedules, we are all running around, grabbing meals on the go, and barely even saying hi to each other. Do you have any advice for family time? I think family bonding is really important, but I need to find something that will make everyone want to join in.

Sincerely,

Mama Wants to Bond

A:

Dear Mama Wants to Bond,

Family bonding is extremely important and it’s great that you want to bring everyone together with activities all can enjoy. I’ve compiled a list of some fun ways you can get your family to stop what they’re doing and spend some time together.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR FAMILY BONDING

1. Meals. Prepare a meal together on Sundays. Make it fun. Homemade pizza, chocolate cake, fondue (cheese and chocolate) -- or whatever your family loves. Put bonding ahead of epicurean tastes. Cake mixes are fine if the kids can make them themselves. Make it a weekly or monthly rituatl.

2. Weekends away. Pick one weekend a year -- whether it's right after Christmas, President's weekend or a weekend in August -- and take a family trip that is not extravagant, but is lots of fun. Go river rafting for a weekend. Camping and biking are great, too.

3. Dinner and a movie. Give your family a date night. This means a PG-13 (or G rated or whatever is appropriate for your family) movie at an early hour like 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. and go to dinner before hand. Let different members of the family pick the movies.

4. Surprise party. Nothing bonds a family like family secrets. So make yours functional -- not dysfunctional. Plan a surprise party for someone's birthday, and have your family throw the party. Involve everyone.

5. Volunteer. Set an example for family values by volunteering as a family on a regular basis -- even if it's annually, that's still terrific. Pick a cause or a charity that is easy enough for you to attend to that you will actually do it. Charities for AIDS, battered women, homeless people or your local hospital can all use your help.

6. Game night. No kid is too old for board games. Make a night of checkers, Monopoly, and all the newest games, and involve the whole family. Twister is always great as is a game of gin rummy -- or if your kids are younger, Go Fish.

7. Wash the car. Forget the car wash. Make the family car a family project. On a warm day, get out the hose, the sponges, the detailing products and involve your entire family in this household chore.

8. Company. Kids love parties and if you can throw a low stress dinner party for one other family once a month, that the children are involved in, they learn about preparation, pitching in, and manners. Even a pot luck dinner with another family will give you a lot of bonding bang for your energy buck.

9. TV. It's not always an evil piece of technology. In fact watching television with the entire family is a healthy way to view television. Parents can be there to explain issues aired that are provocative. There are lots of shows that work for the entire family.

10. Exercise. Play tennis or go jogging as a family. Hiking and biking are terrific. Swimming and surfing are great for beach families. If your kids are old enough make yoga or pilates a family affair.

For some fun date ideas that you and hubby can do alone, check out my book Romantic Date Ideas!

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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