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Family Activity Night

© Rachel Webb

Are the days of sipping lemonade as a family on the front porch swing or enjoying an impromptu baseball game gone? Although the traditional idea of what was once considered a symbol of American values are fading, if we let them disappear altogether there is a danger of traditional family values dissipating too! Religious leaders and even politicians around the world have preached that the family unit is breaking apart and needs to be strengthened. Holding a weekly family activity night is one way that you can prioritize what is of value in your life and at the same time teach children a wide variety of lessons and skills that can strengthen your family morally & spiritually.

Weekly home activity night can strengthen communications skills and increase moral and spiritual beliefs. Positive values can be taught in the home with family councils, games, activities or family community service projects.

PLANNING Any activity takes planning and Family Activity Night will only be successful with a little planning as well. First, you need to pick a night that will be reserved for Family Night. Most school and community evens are scheduled for the weekend so I would suggest that your Family Night be on a Monday or at the beginning of the week. Once you have chosen what evening of the week you will have it, you should start to make it a habit and all other events be scheduled for another night. Turn off the phone on this special night to set an example for the family that this night is a priority, that you are committed to it's success. If there is a community or school activity that some of the family members cannot miss - make that event the family activity and include all family members.

Some families choose to assign each family member a song, short lesson, activity and treat. Let each child have a turn giving the lesson too, not just the parents. It is important for all family member to feel that what they have to say is of worth. This is a good opportunity for children to see how they fit into the family unit and help build their self confidence.

Our family also chose to assign a family member to be the official family historian to take pictures of our activities, keep a family journal and scrapbook the events.

FAMILY COUNSEL Children of all ages will look forward to Family Night and will even remind parents about the special evening coming up. This is a perfect opportunity to set rules of the house. Issues of debate that come up through the week can also be saved and addressed at the upcoming family night where each family member can have input in solving the household problem. This helps each family member to feel like they are a vital part of your family unit where their opinion is respected.

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