FUN IS MISSING IN FAMILIES
Family is the most important thing and being part of a family is unique to every individual, however what helps families build bonds that last a lifetime is having fun which is an important part of building a strong family identity. Research shows that some family traditions are often developed in times of fun and end up serving as great memories that both children and parents will treasure forever.
In fact, these traditions and memories help define and individualize each family, and can even be passed on from one generation to the other. Unfortunately, some parents see fun as a waste of time or unserious activity based on their understanding of what fun is and this has led to them not wanting to engage in it hence the reality that fun is missing in many families.
People talk about having fun but what is fun really about? For some people, fun for them might be going out for drinks, watching a football match or going to see a movie in the cinema while for others it might even be staying in on a weekend and just watching television.
However, the real definition of fun is an experience of pleasure and enjoyment which is associated with recreation and play that creates amusement. It is usually informal and is meant to serve as a distraction from deep thinking or formal situations. Having fun is also geared towards engaging your spontaneous side as it usually consists of activities that you can do either through recreation or leisure activities.
Due to the recent pressure of balancing work life and family life, fun is starting to take a backseat in families and must be brought back to help create memories and help enhance family bonding. Parents need to start to look at fun from a positive perspective and see it as a responsibility they owe their children and families as a whole.
In fact, the only way fun can come back in families is when time becomes a critical factor that parents spare more of with their children. Fun can only take place if time is created for it, so in the midst of hustle and bustle from Mondays to Friday or in some cases, weekends, you need to consciously acknowledge that spending quality time together is the best way to show your family that you care.
Meanwhile, in order to translate time spent with your child to fun, it must go beyond teaching them table manners, interrupting sibling squabbles, praying with them or helping them with homework. It must get to the point where you enjoy your kids for who they are and engage them with games or activities they can resonate with.
For fun to come back to your family, it has to start with YOU. This is because often time, Kids can find fun through mundane things such as laughing at silly jokes, climbing on furniture or playing with their toys because play and fun comes naturally to them. It is you the adult that has lost the ability to be childlike and you need to put aside that attitude and bring fun back into your family and enjoy the moment.
It is time to stop being too busy providing for the welfare of your child that you forget to connect with them over their interests such as doing something you all can be excited about hence FUN! An example can be playing sport activities with your child or even reading books to them that they enjoy especially when you get into character of the books and make them laugh with your theatrics.
Contrary to what so many people think, having fun does not necessarily mean you must go out, rather, having fun with your kids means connecting with them in a way that excites and amuses them.
STEPS TO BRING FUN BACK IN THE FAMILY
SET ASIDE TIME
With busy lives, spending time with your family can be hard to come by but you need to intentionally carve out space to just enjoy being with them, whether it’s an evening during the week or a few hours on a weekend. You also must not rush those moments you set aside to have fun with them.
BE CREATIVE
The idea is to make anything fun, no matter where you are as long as the whole family enjoys it. Parents must take the initiative and make these things happen by being available to show the children the value in spending time together to create and engage in fun activities. Creative activities can include a game of football or basketball, playing cards, or just hanging out together that involves every member of the family talking and laughing together.
OVERLOOK THE MESS
Funny right? This is because sometimes fun can be messy especially when it involves activities that will need you to clean up once you are done. As a parent you need to understand this reality and overlook the messy part sometimes as the primary goal is having fun with your child. Another way of looking at it is making the clean up a fun activity with your family!
BE SPONTANEOUS
Having fun with your family can be either spontaneous or planned, the whole idea is to deliberately maximise the times you can have fun with your child having it at the back of your mind that they will soon grow into adults and will only have the memories. When families have fun together, it builds a bond that can last a lifetime and you will find your family relationships growing stronger.
CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
A lot of times, the reason why fun is missing in some families is because some parents equate fun with expenses. Having fun with your kids doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive.The whole idea is to connect and bond with them in a way that everyone enjoys.
Bimbo Olasope (Aunty Bimbo)
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