Every Monday night is family night, a.k.a. Family Home Evening. We're super busy during the week, with school, piano lessons, Scouts, Church activities, water polo, swim team, early morning seminary, and work. Our day starts at 5, for some of us, and doesn't end 'til 11-ish, most of the time. We have a child in every level of school, from pre-K to high school, so you can imagine our schedules are all over the place. So, we set aside Monday night for just us.
We don't do anything elaborate for Family night. We make sure to include a formal welcome to each child, an opening song, and an opening prayer. We go over the calendar for the week, so we know who's going where, and when. We briefly discuss any concerns, issues, etc., any family member might have. We include a short 10 minute lesson on our Church's doctrine. We have the children conduct the meeting, direct the songs, offer the prayers, plan the fun activity, help make the treat, or teach the lesson. We play a game or do something fun, after the lesson. For a few weeks, my husband was starting off Family Home Evening with a silly fitness challenge, like who could balance on one foot the longest, or, who can do a hand stand against the wall the longest. The kids eat that kind of thing up! At the end of the evening, we might have a treat (fresh or frozen fruit smoothies are a favorite). Tonight our lesson was about the importance of the family unit, and how to strengthen our family. Each family member contributed to the lesson. Afterwards, we played "Apples to Apples." We had a slice of warm, homemade wheat bread, fresh from the oven, with butter and cinnamon sugar. Ummmmmmmm. Family prayer and our usual brush-teeth/pack school lunches/ bedtime story/ homework for older kids ritual follows.
Our family night isn't fancy ('cause we're not fancy), but we try to be consistent. Sometimes other families join us, or one of our kids will include a friend. Consistency is the most important aspect. It's part of our family traditions. The kids look forward to it every week. Family Home Evening bonds us together, builds cherished memories, and provides a foundation for doctrinal instruction. It's a legacy I'll pass on to my children, and hopefully, they to theirs.
We don't do anything elaborate for Family night. We make sure to include a formal welcome to each child, an opening song, and an opening prayer. We go over the calendar for the week, so we know who's going where, and when. We briefly discuss any concerns, issues, etc., any family member might have. We include a short 10 minute lesson on our Church's doctrine. We have the children conduct the meeting, direct the songs, offer the prayers, plan the fun activity, help make the treat, or teach the lesson. We play a game or do something fun, after the lesson. For a few weeks, my husband was starting off Family Home Evening with a silly fitness challenge, like who could balance on one foot the longest, or, who can do a hand stand against the wall the longest. The kids eat that kind of thing up! At the end of the evening, we might have a treat (fresh or frozen fruit smoothies are a favorite). Tonight our lesson was about the importance of the family unit, and how to strengthen our family. Each family member contributed to the lesson. Afterwards, we played "Apples to Apples." We had a slice of warm, homemade wheat bread, fresh from the oven, with butter and cinnamon sugar. Ummmmmmmm. Family prayer and our usual brush-teeth/pack school lunches/ bedtime story/ homework for older kids ritual follows.
Our family night isn't fancy ('cause we're not fancy), but we try to be consistent. Sometimes other families join us, or one of our kids will include a friend. Consistency is the most important aspect. It's part of our family traditions. The kids look forward to it every week. Family Home Evening bonds us together, builds cherished memories, and provides a foundation for doctrinal instruction. It's a legacy I'll pass on to my children, and hopefully, they to theirs.
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Oh, I like the fitness challenge! Good stuff..
ReplyDeleteI'm usually the designated timer. I don't do hand stands... ;)
ReplyDelete