Ah, the good old days when everyone was only addicted to watching TV. People would complain that it wasn’t really “family time” but at least everyone was in one room watching the same thing. Now, with individual screens for everyone from grandma to the toddler, watching TV together seems like the height of family togetherness. If you find your family spread through the house watching various screens and only coming together to describe the last YouTube video each person watched, here are three ways to get your focus back.
1. Pass on a Tradition
Entrepreneur Michael Canzian says that one way he loves to connect with his family is through cooking traditional foods. The Italian dishes his grandmother taught him he now teaches his own children. Whether it is cooking or some other tradition, when you take the time to teach your family you have a focus for your conversation and a goal that you are working toward together.
It gives your time structure and keeps kids from getting bored. At the same time, while you’re working on something your conversation can roam, allowing you to catch up and get to know each other better. You’ll also feel good about keeping a tradition alive for the next generation.
2. Schedule Time Together
Michael Canzian also discusses how travel brings his family together. However, even if you don’t have the funds to travel together, you can take those lessons and apply them to life at home. Taking a trip is all about scheduling. You’ve made a plan for how you will spend your time together.
Homelife can be hectic. The kids have after-school obligations, no one works just 40 hours a week. To make sure you have time for your family, schedule it. You’re showing that spending time with them is as important as your next business meeting and you’ll put as much work into your family as your job. It can be a dinner out or a family game night, as long as everyone participates.
3. Create Screen-Free Time
Finally, without scheduling anything in its place, create screen-free time for everyone in the family. Maybe everyone will wander off and read a book, but maybe the kids will come to tell you they’re bored and you can start a conversation. It’s good for everyone to break the screen habit even if only for a better night’s sleep, but you’ll find more benefits when you give it a try.
With these three tips, you’ll be surprised to find you and your family still have a lot to learn about each other.