Family Night

I recently came across this article on about.com.  The author, Wayne Parker, explains the benefits of holding weekly family night.  He also gives useful pointers to help us get started, so without further adieu…

How Does Family Night Work?

The general concept of a weekly family night is to spend an evening once a week where the family is together having a meaningful experience together. In other words, watching the latest installment of a favorite sitcom doesn’t count! The basic principles include:

The time is set. Having a standard time each week allows better family planning. It is best if you can pick a given night each week (every Monday or every Thursday) and keep it there. At the outset, this might not be possible but should be a goal.

Everyone commits. When a family decides to focus on family night, each member commits to making it work. That means we have to say “no” to conflicts. Teenage kids need to have the night off from work and school activities. Moms and dads say no to work projects, phone conversations, and athletic events. Athletic teams understand that practices would have to not conflict and if it means that someone doesn’t make the team, then the choice is made for family. This is one of the hardest parts of a family night program, but it is essential.

 Time is spent together. Ever been in a situation described by Stephen Covey as a “collective monologue?” This is where everyone speaks or does their activity but in the same room with others. Collective monologues are not acceptable for family night. Television, listening to music or everyone reading something different doesn’t count. Family activities on family night involve everyone together. Activities such as walking or hiking, playing board games, working together in the yard, being involved in community service projects, visiting relatives together and the like are the model.

No heavy stuff. Family nights are not the time for discipline, for arguing, for forcing compliance. If you make it onerous, you will have a mutiny on your hands. Make them light, fun and engaging. And a little variety helps a lot.