General

Family Care

After a long day, or even a long week, nothing might sound better than a “mom’s night out.” The benefits of self-care, including time out with friends, are numerous, but culture has abruptly prioritized self-care over family-care.

We all know why self-care is important, but just as important as self-care is family-care. This quality time spent with our loved ones is proven to reduce stress and anxiety, leading to an overall healthier life, according to the American College of Education[1]. Regular time spent with family has also been linked to improved mental health, academic performance, self-confidence, and lower reports of behavioral concerns.

So, what makes spending time with our families such an influential part of a child’s development? God designed the family unit to be a place in which children find security, identity, and build a spiritual foundation on which they can build healthy, successful futures.

While social media and current societal trends want us to feel like spending time with our children is something that is chaotic and draining, the Bible presents a different view of children. Psalm 127:3-5 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies at the gate.”

What if parents were able to view their children this way? What if moms and dads couldn’t wait to get home to spend time with their children every evening? What if being together as a family was what kids and parents alike looked forward to the most? What kind of shifts would we see in culture?

If planning a mom’s night out or a dad’s night out is something that has become a regular part of your week, consider replacing it every other week with a “family night-in” and trying one of the following activities instead.

1. Make your own pizza night – Kids love to help. Serving others, especially their families, is something that comes naturally to most children. By making dinner together as a family, children are learning a simple skill while also serving their family in a way that makes them feel important and valued. One of the simplest ways to do a “make your own pizza night” is to make tortilla pizzas. Acting as the crust, give each child a tortilla and allow them to spread sauce on it, choose their own toppings, and then bake it until the cheese melts. Consider switching it up and having everyone make a pizza for the person sitting on their right.
2. Get outdoors – Spending time together in nature is something that creates life-long memories for children. Whether it is going on a family walk, a bike ride, or spreading out an old quilt on the lawn and watching for shooting stars, being together amidst the beauty of God’s creation is a great way to bond as a family.
3. Create something special – Arts and crafts can be a fun way to spend time together as a family. Painting rocks, drawing portraits of each other, or making paper snowflakes to decorate your home are all simple yet engaging activities that can be done together as a family.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that family-care is just as important as self-care and regular “family-night-in” will be something both you and your children look forward to for years to come.