Ideas For My Pocket: a Support Group for Families: Together is Better

In our fast-paced world, we must work hard to connect with each other. Family Unity takes time, but it bonds a family together in love. In addition, it builds family strength to make it through tough times.

(Note: Dear Readers, within the past week, I had one daughter return from an 18-month mission to Guatemala and another daughter leave for a mission to California (by way of Mexico, to learn Spanish there). Please allow me to share with you this quick list that I wrote up for my sister, when she was giving a lesson on Family Unity. Hope the ideas will help you, and that you will share yours!)

Ideas families have tried:

1—Theme. Create a Family Theme or Mission Statement. (Ours is simply, “Stick Together Family”)

2--Family Song. Take a familiar song and put everyone’s name in it or sing the spelling of your last name or change words to make it uniquely your family’s song!

3—Contests. Take care with these. When motivating family members, don’t pit one against another in contests, but set challenges up so that it’s: Us against the Opposition.

4—Work. Do it together. If a child is not getting chores done, work with him or her until he is more responsible. Tackle some family work-- like pulling weeds--together, while you tell stories. Then plan a swim or an outing afterward.

5—Music. Turn on upbeat music and exercise or dance or do the dishes together.

6—Helping. Develop an “Everyone helps after dinner” policy. Talk about cheerful things as you all help.

7--A Family Policy Book. It is a great idea. Develop it as each issue comes up. Then, later, there is no issue—it’s already been tackled . For example, curfews, boy/girl get togethers, holiday expectations, tv time, cell phone issues etc.

8—Sing. Do it together, at the table and at Family Night! Sing around the piano on Sunday evenings or as you drive to and from Grandmothers’ house. Sing as you drive your small children around in their carseats, so they will learn the family favorites early (and not be so bored!).

9—Listen. Do it as a family. Listen to a book on tape together, then discuss it.

10—Movies. Watch them as a family. After a movie, sit at the table or in the family room and talk about it. What was your favorite part? What do you wish they had left out? Figure out together the theme of the movie.

11—Books. Invite everyone to read the same book at the same time, then talk about it. Get several paperback copies to pass around. Read excerpts to the little ones, so they can be in on the discussion.

12—Ancestors. Tell stories about your ancestors often. These are what we all have in common. We have the same character traits they do. Pass on information about your ancestors for all to cherish.

13—Family Stories. Collect your own stories, of the sweet experiences, miracles, funny happenings, and God’s tender mercies in each family member’s life. Ask for everyone to write Mom or Dad a story every birthday and Mother’s/Father’s Day. One person collects all the stories into a book, with a special family name. Then, she sends them one by one as an email once a week. It is a work in progress. These stories will become priceless, and will hold the family together.

14—Family Blog. Start a family blog or newsletter to keep everyone in touch. Send a copy to family members who are college students or missionaries or members of the armed forces away from home.

15—Birthdays. Remind each other to remember birthdays. A little sacrifice for each other is totally worth it, i.e. earning money for a present, a card, a compliment, or even just a call.

16--Talk to each other. Talk in the car, at the table, all the time. Share what matters to you. Interview your kids regularly, so they feel like you care about their decisions and their lives.

17--Play together! Cards, board games, basketball, marbles, paper airplanes, bowling, shooting off a rocket, ultimate Frisbee, tag, Hide and Seek!

18—Include all. Work hard to never leave anyone out. If a certain family member is not there for anything discussed, take notes for him or her.

19--Family Devotions. Pray together. Worship together. Read Scriptures together, even if only a couple of verses. Decide once to always go to church, then don’t redecide.

20--I love you’s! “I’m so glad you are here. I am so lucky you’re my son! I love doing things with my family!”