If your family is like other families, then you are probably very familiar with the hectic whirlwind of family life and responsibilities. This whirlwind of family life usually starts on a Monday morning and ends Sunday evening… but it’s short-lived… when Monday morning rolls back around, you’re right back to running that same hectic schedule as you did the previous week.

It’s so easy for us to get caught up in our own busy schedules that we forget to take time out for family time. Sure, all the ripping and running you’re doing is for your family but it’s not quality time spent where you can actually enjoy their company… it’s almost as though you’re going through the motions of family time but heavily distracted by the errands you have to run.

From school and work to meetings and appointments, it can seem as though scheduling family time is at the bottom of your to-do list… but don’t let family time fall by the wayside. Family time is very important, not only to your children but it’s also important for you, as the parent. Parents tend to think that family time is only beneficial to your children when it is indeed also very beneficial to your mindset as well.

As parents, everything you do is for your kids. Your reason for going to work was initially to be able to pa bills but ever since you had children, your reason for going to work is now to provide for your family. This need to provide for your family is definitely a necessity for every family dynamic but it can also take a huge toll on your family in the form of presence as well.

Some people will solve their family’s issue of being present by putting together a big family gathering. That is definitely a great way to bring your family together but in order for your family to truly benefit from quality family time, it needs to come from daily interactions with each other. If you’re needing to schedule quality time with your family but need help figuring out ways to do it, take a look at these family time ideas to get you started.

Cook and Eat Dinner Together

Nothing brings people together better than food, especially families. Having dinner together as a family is something that needs to happen as often as time will allow it but cooking dinner together can happen a few times a month.

When a family cooks together, it unknowingly creates a family dynamic of teamwork. Maybe one spouse gets out all the ingredients, the other spouse gets out all the kitchen supplies needed, and the kids can mix and stir all the ingredients together. When you cook as a family, the recipe doesn’t necessarily need to be easy or difficult, it just needs to be fun.

A great recipe that’s fun for the family is this Italian baked chicken recipe. It’s not only healthy but it’s also delicious. And the funnest part of this recipe is tenderizing the chicken… kids love it because you’re beating the chicken.

Volunteer Together

One of the best ways to spend time together as a family is to give back as a family. Check your local community’s food bank to see if there are opportunities to serve. You can also volunteer at hospitals, nursing homes, and non-profit organizations as well. This will open your children’s eyes to see families and people who are less fortunate than them.

Making this a family event is something that will teach your kids empathy and ultimately make you all as a family appreciate having each other in your lives. It’s experiences like these that will not only make you appreciate your family but it will also make you make family time a priority over some of your other daily responsibilities.

Exercise Together

It’s important to stay active, and it’s even more important to stay active as a family. Today, we live in a world that’s dominated by technology. Kids are glued to their cell phones and video games as well as television, leaving little to no interest in doing anything physical.

According to howtoadult.com, kids between the ages of 12 to 17 spend an average of five hours a week on the internet and around 14 hours watching TV. Doing physical activities with your family doesn’t mean you have to join a gym; you and your family can simply go for walks after dinner in your neighborhood or go to the park and walk… you all can even do workout videos together!

All in All

There’s no right or wrong way to spend time together as a family. Whether you’re cooking together or exercising together, the main thing is to make sure that you’re doing it together. This will indeed bring you closer together as a family.