Family Connection this Christmas
What a time we are living in. Nothing is quite as it was, nor will it ever be the same again and the strain of what to do this Christmas is present and very real.
I ask you a question, as this is a question that has been asked of me by many parents, how are you fostering family connection, family time? Those moments that perhaps would have come from a day out, a visit to see friends or family or a meal out.
When we are not wrestling with getting our family to follow a routine or trying to balance everything that comes with a ‘normal’ day, running your own business or trying to work from home (or get to work), as well as cooking, cleaning and finding time for yourself! How are you spending your ‘down time’ other than being permanently exhausted, we are also taling mental exhaustion here?
There is no such thing as ‘normal’ in 2020, although we are all doing our best to foster our ‘new’ normal. Uncertainty coupled with the emotions that this time of year brings, do our children really understand what is going on? Are emotions spilling over both, yours and theirs? Connection with our families is a priority, we are our child(ren)’s normal.
My thoughts and feelings on family time is to look for the smaller ways to bring connection rather than bigger gestures. The family time that brings smiles, the hugs, sharing in a common understanding that we as a family, ARE, all in this together.
Here are some of my ideas of how to share moments with your children and family, some they might be more enthusiastic about than others! This list is not exhaustive and I know you will have your own ideas to add.
Special family dinners perhaps with candles and fancy napkins
Create a family coat of arms
‘Visiting’ other countries through their food, films and craft
Cooking together, baking yes this is obvious but can you teach your kid(s) to cook a family meal?
Sharing household chores
Creating a wish jar of things you want to do as a family in 2021
Taking a walk with only one of your children (if you have more than one) to walk and talk
Family challenges such as who can build the tallest tower with only spaghetti and marshmallows
Board games
Movie Nights
Keeping a family journal or blog
Art night – get the clay out or the paint and create something
A colouring table cloth that you all sit and colour
Creating art or doing crafts together
Learning a language together
Putting on a show
Building a family blog/website and then everyone contributing
Camping in the lounge room (family sleep over)
'Posting' notes under each others pillows
Writing letters (not a text or an email) to family and friends
Cuddling on the sofa
Writing a newsletter/newspaper for your street
Doing a photo prompts challenge together
Learning something new as a family
Are you musical? Can you compose a 2020 song?
Family exercise together even if this is in the house
Here is to us all finding smaller more meaningful ways to connect with our loved ones before we say a firm ‘good bye’ to 2020.
