How to Have Family Night

Family togetherness doesn’t have to be reminiscent of years past. It is something that you can foster now to create bonds that will last in the future. Family night is one way to build a solid family relationship that will weather any situation no matter how big or small. Here is how you can create a family night program for your family:

Set a specific time each week
Find a night that will work for your family to meet together each week. Perhaps Monday nights will work for your family. Make this time a dedicated time that everyone in your family will set aside in their busy schedules. Do not change the night each week. Be consistent and everyone in your family will know what to expect. Everyone should know when family night occurs each and every week.

Gather the entire family together
Make sure that each and every family member is in attendance. If you have a family member who must be away from the family due to a business trip or school trip, then include them by calling them and using the speaker function of your phone. This will help them to feel included and keep your family close.

Discuss
This is a great time to discuss the many different schedules and plans of each family member and coordinate your schedules in order to support each other. Family night is also a great time to have an open forum for any concerns you might have. Be sure to listen to each family member. Everyone should feel that their opinion and view is important. Take this opportunity to discuss together your family values.

Have fun
Play a game together or do some sort of activity each week. This will help you build and foster relationships within the family. This also will help to open the doors of communication with each other.

Have a treat
Make cookies or a cake. Have rice crispy treats. Make donuts together. Perhaps you would rather have a sundae bar or simply just share a bowl of popcorn. This is a fun ending to your family night. It will be something that everyone will look forward to each week. It will also help get those members of the family there in attendance that might otherwise be hesitant to attend.

Don’t get discouraged
The most important thing is to not get discouraged if things don’t always go the way you plan. It will perhaps take time to make family night become a priority within your family. It will take time to develop the habit each week. Don’t give up. The benefits will far outweigh the obstacles that may be in your way.

Family night is a great way to build memories together as a family. What are some of your ideas for a great family night?

Submitted by Brenda