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10 Ways to Connect with Your Family When Life is Busy

I often wish that the pace of life would slow a little, but have come to accept that the modern family has to make an effort to stay connected and to intentionally guard family relationships from the busyness of this world.

Between sports, church, work, friendships, and time spent on social media,  it seems as though there is little time left for family to connect deeply and enjoy each other.

But there IS hope for a family who seems to have lost touch and needs to re-prioritize their relationships!  It might take a bit of schedule tweaking and appointment juggling, but these 10 ideas will help families make each other a priority, have fun together and to grow in faith through the years.

Schedule your time together

The best way to ensure a family stays connected is to plan it on the calendar before scheduling any other commitments. Google calendar even allows a family to share activities and sync calendars. This paperless system helps to schedule time together and not let the social calendar edge out precious family time.

Alisa from Flourishing Today shares, “Because family time is important to us, we have chosen to make it a priority by placing it on our calendar. Having five kids with different schedules, means it’s not always easy to find time to visit together. So rather than finding the time, we make the time.”

Focus on quality not the quantity of time

If you know you only have a short amount of time together, make the most of it.  Have a flexible plan for your time, even if it’s just snuggling on the couch for a family movie night. Remind the family to come with an attitude that’s ready to interact and have fun.

Put away technology

The distraction of technology can be an issue for both parents and kids, so have a designated spot for all devices when it’s time for family fun.  This removes the temptation to check e-mail or Facebook during your special time together, and shifts the focus to real life interaction (which seems to be a lost art!)

Do an interactive activity

Build memories the family will never forget by doing interactive activities. Kids will remember laughing over the latest game of Monopoly or which team won the family soccer game more than just sitting and watching a movie.

 

 

Connect in prayer and Bible study

Family Bible study won’t be picture perfect or even last for hours, but nothing unites hearts more than regular time in God’s Word. Parents, you don’t have to be a Bible expert, either, to lead your family spiritually and hearing the prayer requests of your children helps you have an inside glimpse into their lives and hearts. (Visit here for an easy way to start Bible study in your home.)

Write each other love notes

There’s nothing more special than getting a note in a lunch box or placed lovingly in your bathroom to remind you that you are loved and prayed for, and the Strong Family Printable Pack has just what you need!

The Strong Family Printable Pack features cute love notes to leave for the family, and other printables to help you stay connected together.

>> Get your Strong Family Printable Pack here. <<

Do a ministry or service project

The family that serves together stays together! Teaching children about helping others will bring you closer together and will teach the kids how to humbly serve like Jesus. (Plus, I have a comprehensive list of service projects here to get you started!)

Have regular family meetings

Set a day, either weekly or monthly, where you openly talk about the “state of the family”.  Share the triumphs and progress that’s being made, and then talk about areas that need to be improved in a loving and constructive way.

Establish a tradition or routine

How fun is it to know that every Friday night is pizza and game night, or every Saturday morning is Daddy Date Day (in our house, Hubs takes the kids to Chick-Fil-A and the car wash every Saturday).  Kids of all ages look forward to and hold traditions and routine in high regard, making family time easy and fun for all.

However you connect with your family, putting Christ at the center of the home will start you on the path towards a strong bond and to lasting strong family ties.

18 Comments

  1. It is a challenge isn’t it. Life has become even more busy/random with teenagers and young adults living in the home. We connect most consistently over meal times. The most consistent and important meal for us is Sunday breakfast, though we try to sit at the table all together a few times a week – even if it means eating much later in the evening than we used to. I also delay some of my activities in the morning until the kids are all set on their day – this way I’m available – sometimes it is just a quick good morning, have a good day – other times there is a longer chat as they eat their breakfast on the run.

    1. I love your tradition! What a fabulous time of memories and laughter. Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. I love these ideas! The technology is a huge attention killer, and definitely something I need to work on more. I read once that for a toddler, they can get their fill of “quality time” in about 4 minutes, so long as it’s uninterrupted, real quality time. I will definitely be sharing this. Thanks for sharing at Titus 2 Tuesday!

    1. Thanks for sharing! Technology is a big one in our house and we need to be diligent in guarding our time together. 🙂

  3. You definitely have to make a conscious effort to build and nurture those relationships most important in your life-and family is no different! Often, it feels like everything in the world is set on ripping apart the family and taking time away from each other. Love notes are SUCH a wonderful idea, and it’s one of the ways I connect with my husband often. I pack his lunch every day for work and, randomly, I’ll slip a little love note in there with his lunch. He cherishes and loves each time he gets one, and I like how it’s a neat little surprise to let him know I’m thinking about him. Thanks for such an awesome post! <3

    1. How sweet and special! I just love that your husband loves them, too!

  4. These are all great ideas!

    I am at the Empty Nest phase, but I found many of your suggestions would still work. I liked especially the syncing of calendars and working on a project together. Even when you aren’t living together, making plans on working on something together would be a great, intentional way to spend time together as a family.

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. What a fabulous reminder that when kids are grown, we have to be even more intentional but can still have fun! Thank you!

  5. I love your idea of getting everything on a calendar. I am terrible at calendaring but know deep down how much easier it would make my life. I’m excited to sign up for the Strong Family Project. Great idea and awesome title!

  6. Such amazing ideas! I am a huge advocate for building strong families so I love this- scheduling the time is key!

    1. It sure is! Even if we’re all home, we must be intentional about our time together!

  7. So excited about the upcoming posts (and this one too!) Shared on FB.

    1. It certainly can feel like an abyss, right? Best wishes for your family!

  8. Visiting from Holley Gerth’s. These are really good tips. Family time is important and I like the idea of making time rather than just trying to find time. Also putting phones and devices aside to focus on real life interaction. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Even with a toddler, we have family meetings every Sunday! Baby girl may not fully understand, but I know as the years go by she will love that she’s included!

    1. Sarah Ann says:

      What a GREAT habit to teach young! I love it!

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