This week is my favorite week because it talks about a subject I have worked very hard at. We will be talking about how we can build strong families through wholesome family recreation and working together.
For
months our family had planned to go to an amusement park/water park. We had even put in the extra effort with
school to get a free ticket, which my son earned. However, when it came closer to us going to
the park we realized our financial situation wouldn't allow us to attend. I was devastated I felt that I failed as a parent. As I was pondering and praying what
to do I happened to watch this video which comes from the talk Good, Better, Best by Dallin H. Oaks.
It talks about a child that had enjoyed the simple parts of the vacation more than the extravagant parts. It was then I realized as long as our family was enjoying time together it wouldn't matter that we did the amusement park. We decided to take a drive to see some friends, hang out on their farm, play in the lake, and visit a museum. We all had an enjoyable time and I feel spent more time together as a family rather than pairing off for rides at an amusement park.
SuccessfulMarriages and Families states that “our free time should be used wisely to
create the best possible life, to promote individual growth and strengthen families.
Meaningful recreation does not just happen; it must be prepared for cultivated,
and privately defended." I think that it is important to understand that
family activities need to be planned, even if it is playing board games. My
goal is to make a weekly list of activities to do as a family and then
implement them throughout the week. How do you plan your family activities?
I
have found some sites that offer great ideas for wholesome recreational
activities.
Families
also grow together as they work together. I think the best idea I have heard in
regards to families working together is from a fellow classmate. She said that in her family she grew up on a
farm together. She learned that if you didn't do your job others couldn't do
theirs. I found that to be so significant to me. It is important for me to teach my children
that in order for a family to function then we need to work together. We don’t necessarily always have to work
together alongside each other but it is important for family members to
understand the value of work.
I have always been against children receiving an
allowance. I think it is because I never received an allowance. But as my kids
have gotten older I have read many books that encourage children receive an allowance. One of those books is The parenting breakthrough, by Merrilee Browne Boyack. Giving children an allowance teaches children the value of money, and they can
learn to pay tithing. It suggest that you start them at the age of 5 and stop the allowance at the
age of 12. Once the flow of money has been discontinued they will still desire
it. This is when they will know they have to work hard to earn money. One boy
went around the neighborhood collecting a quarter for taking out his neighbors
trash cans and putting them back. Nothing too difficult yet it does require
some effort and he was able to earn money.
SuccessfulMarriages and Families says “When family members work together in the right
spirit, a foundation of caring and commitment grows out of their shared
experience…connecting us to those we serve and with whom we serve.”
I think now is the time to teach our children to work and serve. They are never too little or too old to learn.
I remember working as a family was usually just as fun as recreation when all was said and done. I think as long as we are all together and doing the same thing, great memories are made and treasured.
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