The economy has greatly affected the nation. Families are having a hard time paying the bills. People find it very difficult to even find a job to pay those bills. With all the financial stress, people are spending less and less. The average two-parent income family is trying to save every penny. In the process of saving and not spending, children suffer. Children feel that there are not enough activities for them because almost everything requires money. Families don’t go on vacation like they used to. Children are faced with talking on the cell phone, playing video games, spending more time surfing the Internet. The parents are at the breaking point of financial struggle and don’t know what to do to bring the family back together. There is hope for the family. In this economy, families think they have to have a lot of money to spend time together. This is not like this! You just have to be creative and join. Gather the family and plan. Be spontaneous! Be positive! Let everyone contribute their ideas and have fun while doing it. This will bring the family together tonight!
Be creative! There is much that families can do together despite the current economic downturn. Families can join. They can plan different activities that do not require a lot of money. In the warm, sunny months, instead of cooking indoors, families can go to the park and cook on the grill. This does not require money. It calls for food, fun and laughter! The second thing a family can do is have a “family night” once a week. On this night, the family can spend time playing board games, watching a family movie, or just talking about different things. Tonight can also be a night without computers, cell phones, or video games unless you play together. This can be a family night full of fun and excitement for the whole family. The kids will love it! They can even share the funny news with their friends. A family can also go out for dessert after dinner one night. Buy a dollar ice cream cone for the whole family and sit in the parking lot of your favorite fast food restaurant and just enjoy each other’s company.
Spending time together shouldn’t be hard work. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either. This financial downturn has caused many families to split up instead of coming together. Money is the one that keeps the family balanced or tears it apart. But the bond, the love and the laughter should make the family grow and become stronger. Don’t let money drive a wedge between you and your family. Spend as much time together as possible. Individual families can also incorporate many activities with each other. Two are needed in today’s household, but individual households can also join.
It really doesn’t take much to enjoy each other’s company. It just takes determination, will to do it and creativity. As your children grow up, they will never forget all the fun things and time you spent together. This is what children remember most. It’s not how much money you spent on them. It’s how much you spent on them. Sit down with your family and schedule your family nights. Schedule the menu and budget for the night. Enjoy each other’s company. Love hard. Laugh often. Hug all the time. Always show your love.