Work Life Balance: 3 Ways to Make More Time for Your Family!

Kristin Southwick

Part 3 of my series on “Work Life Balance, The Juggling Act” is a very critical one…How to create  quality time with your family while also meeting work demands, finding time to rejuvenate yourself, and continuing to foster relationships. 

by Kristin Southwick
CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I have found that many people I work with struggle to find time to spend with their loved ones. Busy family schedules add to the feeling of impossibility and stress of creating family time together.

However, I think what’s most important is not the quantity of time, but the “quality of time”. 

Create Work Life Balance and More
Quality Family Time

Consider these 3 suggestions to help you create quality family time:

 1. Family Dinner Nights

Although schedules can be tricky, make it a priority to have at least three dinners together a week.  This will be a great way to catch up on each other’s day-to-day life.  It is essential during this time to turn the cell phone and TV off, and put Facebook away!

Use this time to talk with each other and open the lines of communication between family members.  Ask each person to discuss what’s important to him or her or something special about his or her week.  This is a great time for parents to acknowledge their children and each other for their successes. 

One way to engage the entire family is to have each person take a turn choosing his/ her favorite meal and help prepare it.  If weekdays are a bit hard to get everyone around the dinner table, take advantage of free time during weekends.  This will build a wonderful family tradition that your children will look back on and cherish. And who knows…one day they may even continue the tradition with their own families!

 2.  Family Trips

Traditional weeklong family vacations may be difficult to take during this economic downturn. However, family trips are a wonderful way to bond, create memories and are something all family members look forward to.

A simple, fun and less expensive alternative may be a weekend trip.  Or consider less expensive outings, such as camping.  You can always pitch a tent in a back yard or even your living room for a fun adventure!

Encourage everyone to participate in all the details from planning through execution so that they feel their suggestions are important and validated.

 3.  Family Nights 

Planning a weekly evening with the family can be relaxing and enjoyable.  Renting movies, playing games, going for bike rides or to the park, picnicking at the beach, attending local sporting events are just some ideas.  Allow each member a chance to pick an activity so his or her interest is recognized.  This insures that every family member feels included and equally important.

 I hope these suggestions spark some creative ideas to help you easily plan and enjoy time with your family. With a little thought, family time can be fun and exciting, without spending a lot of money. 

No matter how you decide to spend time with your loved ones, remember to talk, laugh, and turn off all the distractions around you.  

Not only will this improve the “quality” of those precious moments, but it let’s all family members know that you cherish your time together!

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Tags: Career, family, highlight, Marriage, My Time, Parenting, work/life balance

Category: Work/Life Balance