Family Night
Make It a Part of Your Family's Routine

What is missing from the Family today? Time together. In over 50% of households in America, both parents work. They have to, in order to be able to afford what their parents had. Children and teens are more involved in outside activities. It gets tough to find time to spend together. Even dinner time is not sacred anymore. 77% of all families spend less then 1/2 hour at the dinner table with each other, according to What happened to the family dinner?, by Karyn Strauss.

What have I done to offset this in our home? Created a Family Night. Which is one night a week where EVERYONE stays home. Sunday night usually works well. It makes a great end to the previous week and a good start for the next week.

After you've picked a night, set some rules. Here are a few that have worked out well for us. By the way, I did not write these--my teens did. When we first started our family nights, I suggested we set ground rules and these are what they came up with.

Rule # 1 Family night starts at dinner time.

This gives everyone ample time to get done anything they wanted to do that day.

Rule # 2 No one gets up from the dinner table for 1 hour.

Let's face it, we have the best conversations while eating a really good meal. Use this to your advantage!

Rule # 3 No hanging out in your bedroom.

What would be the sense in having a Family Night, if your teen decided to spend the whole night in his room?

Rule # 4 No friends allowed.

This is your time, with your family.

Rule # 5 Except for special occasions, Family Night is spent at home.

Home is your touchstone for your family. Spending evenings at home, together, will create a powerful bond. I have teens who have graduated, and moved on with their lives. When I talk to them, 90% of the time, they reminisce about things that have happened on Family Nights.

Ok, now let the Net help you with your Family Night! Have your teens make the meal...or at least help. Here are a few online recipes:

Black Bean and Veg. Burritos,  EZ Tacos,  Grilled Sesame Chicken,  Honey-Ginger Grilled Salmon,  Lamb Stew with Garlic,  Morel, Ham and Brie Omlette,  Prime Rib w/Marinade,  Rigatoni with Tomato-Meat Sauce,  Seared Scallops with Leeks and Caviar Sauce,  Veal with Lemon and Sage Sauce, 
Brought to you by What's Cookin'.

Into puzzles? Nothing is better shared with someone than a puzzle. Share these with your family and have some fun!

Where's Waldo? - where's Waldo on the web? Play the web wide search for Waldo to win prizes.

or

METACROSTICS DIABOLICAL ACROSTIC PUZZLES FOR YOUR ABUSEMENT AND ANNOYMENT
by Arthur Bloch
The Directions

The Puzzles

I hope everyone enjoys their Family Nights as much as I enjoy mine! If you have any suggestions that you would like to share with other families, please email me. I would like to place them on a page connected to this article.