The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More and more time is spent rushing from job to after school activities or evening meetings. It's easy to get over whelmed and to loose a sense of family and relaxation in our homes. Here are a few ideas to help strengthen your family and to keep some of life's pressures and stresses out of the home.
~ Be involved but learn how to say No, once in a while. You want to be an involved informed parent but you need to keep your schedule sane. So don't volunteer for everything and don't sign your kids up for every after school sport or activity. Set limits on these activities, car pool whenever possible, and limit the activities you volunteer for and your children participate in to two for each half of the school year.
~ Week long family vacations are great but sometimes you need a family break more often. Plan mini retreats that give you a break from your routine and allow down time where you can just hang out. See if a local hotel with a swimming pool has off-season rates. Then get together with one or two other families whose company you enjoy and book a night in the hotel. Bring swimsuits for the kids and a good book for yourself. You can also turn off the TV, telephone, computer, and CD player for the night, cook an easy meal or order take out and tell stories or play cards or a board game. Teenagers may think its hokey at first but they really do appreciate the change of pace and the time with their family.
~ Eat dinner at the table not in front of the TV or standing in the kitchen grabbing a quick bite just before rushing out to the next activity. Consciously eating your meals not only improves digestion but also allows you thirty minutes to slow down and reconnect; sharing things that happened during the day. Make it mandatory and after a few weeks you will see how everyone really looks forward to this short peace of family time each night.
~ Develop family traditions with your immediate and extended family members. Come up with a special night once or twice a year that isn't tied to a holiday. Have everyone who comes make something to eat, even the littlest ones. Share what you have been doing since the last get together and come up with some fun game everyone can get involved in. Horse shoes, softball, badminton, the game isn't important it's the time you spend together just goofing around without judgment and the pressures of the regular schedule of life.
~ Keep expectations of achievement in school at a reasonable level; encourage your children to strive for things and work at a level that always gives them a bit of a challenge, but don't push them into situations that are too different or may regularly affect their self esteem.
About The Author
?BZ Riger-Hull - www.in-spiros.com
For valuable free articles, assessments, & practical success toolswww.in-spiros.com Certified as a Success Coach, "Four Agreements" Facilitator, & Tele-Course leader We help you communicate powerfully, reduce stress, Strategically Attract success, & increase your financial well-being.
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareEveryone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
We all know what it feels like to have our... Read More
Do you ever fret? In today's materialistic age, sometimes fretting... Read More
Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More
Stress is defined as a response by your body to... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
The moment I read the story I'm about to share... Read More
Mark Twain once said, "It's not what we don't know... Read More
ExcusesWe all have them. It amazes me how creative I... Read More
Life would be so wonderful if it weren't for other... Read More
As small business owners, we often take on more than... Read More
Take a moment to think about the week that just... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
I hear from many people that they see ever increasing... Read More
Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More
Don't wait to have a life-threatening disease to learn what... Read More
It is an inescapable fact, we live in a stressful... Read More
In the body, the stress response is mediated by the... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..When I pay attention, I clearly see the arresting ways... Read More
Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. In... Read More
Worry, big or small blocks positive vibrations from entering your... Read More
The United Nations declares workplace stress to be a worldwide... Read More
Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Do you worry all the time?Do the following symptoms bother... Read More
It has long been suggested that "music soothes the savage... Read More
First, let's make a distinction between pressure and stress. We... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
Question 1"How do I get more time to play?"Answer: Schedule... Read More
As tools for change are discussed, one tool - that... Read More
Stress, America's #1 health problem, is a leading cause of... Read More
Panic.Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry.... Read More
No this is not related to praying, this is how... Read More
Workers across America will tell you that stresslevels are increasing.... Read More
1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not... Read More
We are not designed for long term stress.It causes us... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author... Read More
Looking for all of the answers in how to manage... Read More
Stress affects different people in different ways, but affect them... Read More
Stress Management |