Feel finding family time is huge struggle? Here is some inspiration to take back your family time.

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Awhile back I noticed that our family seemed to be connecting less and less to each other.  It is frustrating to be around each other so much and yet somehow still not feel connected.  You know what I mean?

But what can we do to change this?

There are so many things stealing family time these days that it is hard to figure out what we can do to change it.

First, I analyzed our family life.

When I looked at what was taking most of our time as a family, I was sad.  Here is what I came up with we

worked,

did school,

cooked food,

ate food,

read,

prayed,

cleaned the house,

cleaned ourselves,

got ready to go places,

came home,

did things on the internet,

and watched TV.

Thinking about how we spend our time, I was frustrated that we do all these things seemingly together, but spend very little quality time together. And by that, I mean quality time spent really focusing on each other and spending intentional time together.

But most of what we do is because we have to.  It is obvious, if you look at the list above, that the only thing we often do for absolutely no reason at all, is watch TV.

Next, we made a change.

It became clear that if I wanted to make more family time, I my best option was to try to cut back on TV time and see if that would help.  Sounds good, right?

So easy to say, but really, it is hard to do.

Maybe it isn’t hard for you.  But it is for me.

My problem?  I didn’t usually want to turn off the television.  We had gotten in the rut of using the television as our de-stressor.  It was a tool.

At the end of the day, when the kids were in bed, I just want to sit and not do anything.  And sometimes, I don’t want to do anything even before the kids are in bed.

Here is the truth.

It offers a short-term relief, but causes long-term consequences.

After reflecting on it for a bit, I started noticing some ugly things.  TV doesn’t breed family togetherness (unless it is very intentional).  It breeds selfishness, anger…  We

• all tend to want things quite so we can hear it.
• want everyone to sit still so we can see it.
• get frustrated when this doesn’t work out.
• all want to watch what we want on the screen.

See what I mean?  It in not too pretty.

And if you don’t encounter any of these things it is probably for one of two reasons.  First,  you have trained everyone to be quiet and sit still, or you use the TV as background noise and it is just on a lot (or all the time).

I know.  You can see it coming.  The answer to get your family back it simple.  Turn off the TV.  And if you are anything like me, your gut reaction is simple too.  No.  I don’t want to.

But please hear me out!  It could be that things you want most in life are really not that far away.  Push one button (or two!) and your evening is completely clear.  Push that button and wallah!  Your kids are there, with nothing to do but spend time with you, connecting with you.

If we can overcome what we want on the short-term (i.e. just chilling and watching something), we can have so much more.  Really.

But let me say it  now.  Watching TV is something of an addiction.  You miss having it on.  There is a void.  But if you push through there is so much more available.

Want to cultivate an amazing family life in your home?

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Finally, we saw a change

Insert personal story here –   Our evenings have been so much more peaceful since we turned off evening television.  We have played more games with the kids, read more books with them and yelled less too.  After they go to bed we have had more conversations, read more books, gotten more work done, cleaned more, and gone to bed earlier.  Life is more peaceful.  It’s been so nice.

I had never realized how many areas of our lives suffer when we watch too much TV and we are slowly learning how to take it back.

That’s not to say we never watch television, but when we do, it is intentional.  We pick it out, plan to watch it, and plan to turn it off.  Then, we even talk about it sometimes – wahoo!

I’d love to hear how technology affect you, your family, and your home?  I’d love to hear about it!  Send me an email or comment below.

Want more ideas on how to grow a dynamic family life?  Check out Why I Put My Daughter Into Debt!