Between dinner, homework, baths and bed, evening time can feel like a second job for some working moms. Rather than view it as more work, some mothers use that time as a valuable bonding moment with their spouse and children. Simple things such as eating dinner together can have a huge impact on family morale.
Family Dinner: Preparation
There is no reason for Mom to do all the cooking while the kids play or watch TV. Everyone in the family, even young children, can pitch in and help prepare dinner. Toddlers can be taught to set the table, while older children can mix ingredients or even press the buttons on the microwave.
While everyone is working, they can also be talking about their day or sharing their thoughts. Making dinner preparation a family affair helps spread the workload around, develops a sense of teamwork and gets family members to interact with each other in a positive way. It also teaches kids valuable life skills they will use as adults.
Family Meals: Eating Together
What other time of day does the family get to sit down face-to-face together? Family meals are the best opportunity to reconnect with kids and spouse and talk about school, work, friends and family.
Today’s families are so busy it’s sometimes difficult to get everyone together at once. But it’s important to set a strict rule that everyone in the family must sit down to eat together. It’s not too much to ask considering the research that shows the long-term benefits of the family meal.
A June 4, 2006 article by Nancy Gibbs in Time magazine called “The Magic of the Family Meal” states: “Studies show that the more often families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders and consider suicide, and the more likely they are to do well in school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables, learn big words and know which fork to use.”
Cleaning the Kitchen: A Family Affair
Rather than allowing family members to scatter as soon as the food is gone, assign each family member a chore for cleaning up. Children can be taught to put their dishes in the sink at a very early age. Older children can help load the dishwasher or wipe down the table. This not only a bonding moment and a teaching moment, but it also cuts down on the work Mom has to do and gives her more time to spend with the family.
Family Game Night
Family time doesn’t have to stop after dinner. Planning weekly game nights or TV time can be just as valuable in bringing the family together.
Some families scoff at the idea of having a family game night tradition, but those who try it usually find it lots of fun. It doesn’t have to be a board game, although there are many exciting board games on the market. Some families prefer to play Wii games together or even an outdoor sport that can be played in the backyard such as basketball or soccer. Family game night should reflect the interests of the family.
Watch TV as a Family
It doesn’t matter what show a family watches as long as they agree to watch it together. Whether it’s a sports game, a sitcom, a crime drama or a reality TV show, families that watch TV together will laugh, cry and talk together.
Family time can be incorporated into every aspect of a family’s life. Quality time doesn’t have to be separate from everyday household activities. Eating a meal, playing a game, or watching TV can bring a family closer together.
Kari Lomanno - Kari Lomanno is a high school English teacher and mother of two children ages 9 and 7. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband ...
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