Family-Life Balance

Essentially, who you are is what is needed

Find time to spend with those that are dear to you. Enjoy creating memories as you take the time to show concern and care for those that enjoy your presence. Life is too short to put up with false pretenses and facades. Your time is valuable, use it with those that want to be around you and need you. Spending time with your family, your children is essential. In essence, at the core, around you is your family. Take a moment to thank God for creating all the wonderful people that surround you in your life and well, if they are not so wonderful, prayer can change that.

This past year has not been easy for some. A lot of folks have still had to work through this pandemic and may have felt like they have worked more harder than ever just to meet demands. Even with all the demands of work, you still may have not had a chance to spend the quality time you need with your family or let alone yourself. “If you genuinely love what you do and are doing it for the right reasons, you are more than entitled to spend all of your waking hours plugging away. But for many, more work leads to more stress and a lower quality of life. Without time to unwind, take care of your home, spend time with loved ones, enjoy your hobbies, -this can cause stress. Stress is the #1 cause of health problems-mentally and physically.” -G.E. Miller The U.S. is the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World

Where is your balance?

Working and working without having a balance can lead to serious problems emotionally and physically. I know that just the idea of giving time away to someone else while you are trying to figure out your own ordeals and problems may already be enough to deal with. While being in a pandemic you may have noticed that you haven’t spent as much time with your family no greater than before the pandemic. Maybe you couldn’t have because you are an essential worker and your job demanded your skill or maybe you were locked in a room taking virtual calls all-day or perhaps it has been just too much of a routine, staring at the same people and it caused you to become disconnected from your family, from your children, from your-self. “70% of American children live in households where all adults are employed.” -G.E. Miller You may be part of that 70%, I am. So how do you make room for the ones you love? I say, make room the same way you make room to get up every morning and punch a clock, because you have to but more so because you need to. Whatever the reason may be from why you haven’t been able to spend as much time with your family as you would like, it’s not the end and it’s never too late to place value on your time with family. You can start now. Start doing something that can be small but yet meaningful and is fun for you all.

Some of my family favorites that my husband and I have still tried to incorporate throughout this pandemic is our Friday movie and pizza night. I made a conservative effort, especially going into this year to not lose our values and to still make time to enjoy each other. Bowling is also starting to become a thing for us and we all seem to do it quite well, (especially with more practice) 🙂

Kids are still kids

It’s so easy to get lost in the sauce when you have so many other things that demand your attention but family is important. Spending time with your children is even more so important and critical. A lot of kids have spent this past year in a home secluded from the people that makes them happy such as their friends and their social outlets. These kids have had to learn how to re-define the way in which they live, do schoolwork and at the same time deal with the pressures of a forever changed society. For some kids this had led to depression. Imagine how this may have affected a child that is extroverted- needing to be around others, sociable, outspoken, and likes the attention of those around him/her. Just think about how this may have impacted your child. This is why it’s important to find that time just to sit down and make it a point to let your kids know that they are heard, loved, and cared for.

The part you play

What can you do to implement more time with your family? Is it making it in time for dinner to sit around the table and talk about the day? Is it even cooking dinner to begin with, lol? Is it talking about their goals and future? How about reading to your kids, maybe have them read to you, or even baking with your kiddos. My kids love to bake . They get that from yours truly and I get it from my mom.

Baking is such a great way to bond and create memories with your kids. I try not to do this so often but I can’t seem to help myself, but generally, no usually, I use baking as a method to teach about life lessons. Like the use of eggs in a baking a cake, it provides structure and texture to the cake. Finding ways to incorporate life lessons in the act of baking is just a way that I notice that what I say sticks butter, sorry I mean sticks better 🙂 Aside from God, parents know their kids better than anyone else and however works best to get that solemn message across the right way, use it.

On this day, on every day that you are graced with, take a moment to say, “what can I do differently than before when it comes to spending time with my family?” This could be as a whole or perhaps one on one time with one of your kids that need an extra nudge of attention. Perhaps it is even one on one time with your spouse who needs that extra love to. Make it a great day and be blessed.