Think about a casual weekend at home: your kid is playing a computer game, your husband is watching a TV show and you are reading a book. You are all in the house at the same time, but can it be actually considered time spent together? How often do you have an activity that involves all of you, besides dinner time? All of you should feel their best at home, so below are some ideas to make your family moments engaging for every member.
1. Exclusive Party
Some friends of mine celebrate every birthday with a private family party, just them and the kids, besides the anniversary with friends and other siblings. They dress up in costumes, have dinner, dance and always take lots of pictures.
I think this is a great idea for every mum out there who wants to enjoy some relaxing and entertaining moments with her hubby and children. You can rent some 80s costumes or dress up like your favorite animation characters, but the most important is to bring on the good vibes, put your gadgets away and really enjoy each other’s presence.
2. Backyard Camping
If you are too tired to go on a camping trip, simulate a weekend getaway in your backyard. It’s a great opportunity to teach young children how to pick a good place and set up a tent.
Further on, replace dinner in the living room with a picnic, exercise together, watch the stars and try to identify constellations. Stay away from smartphones, tablets and from indoor activities and your kids will follow your example for sure.
3. Learn Something Together
It can be a foreign language to get you ready for a holiday on the old continent, you can learn to make a cake or to repurpose old clothes. The options are infinite, but your free time is not, so make a choice that suits the schedules of everybody. Not only will you have a new skill at the end, but you’ll also be left with some sweet memories.
4. Make Surprises
First you have to find a “victim”. It can be an old and lonely neighbor, a friend who is going through a hard time or a sibling who needs some moral support. Then, decide on a weekend afternoon to dedicate to the cause of cheering up that person: bring groceries to their home, offer a gift, take them out to a picnic or a dinner and spend some time with the person in need of affection. Your children will learn to give back to others in a simple and delightful way.
5. Create a Relaxation Space
In times of stress, establish relaxation breaks with your family members and create a serene place for that- it can be a corner of your living room or the patio. Bring pillows to sit on, prepare a selection of teas, play some classical music and light aromatic candles. Even if you are able to spend just 15 minutes there, you will walk out calmer and you will be able to focus better.
No matter how much you love your husband and kids, caring for them, keeping up with your job and taking care of the home and yourself can become overwhelming. However, you can always revitalize the atmosphere at home if you implement some of these ideas. Which one do you think it could work best for you?
