March 15, 2020

Family Resurgence – Don’t I Know You?

Like most of our Country, and Worldwide alike, I have been glued to the reports about COVID-19 both on the news programs as well as scrolling through social media. The logical part of me says “Stop the madness! Turn the TV off, put the phone down!” I know we are in a devasting situation, but it’s not as dire as it could be, because we are doing the right thing. Focusing on keeping hospitals operable and slowing the spread. Simple right? But then there is the emotional side of me that wants to board up my windows, stay inside, and if I have to step out, make sure I’m completely covered in plastic wrap and wear a gas mask – yeah, I sort of have a flair for the dramatic ?

The more I assess the situation, from a reasonable, logical, sprinkled-with-just-a-tad-emotion, point of view, the more I can’t help but think, “Why not make the best of a bad situation”? A post from sun-gazing.com states exactly what I’m talking about, life did not get cancelled.

I’m sure most of you are rolling your eyes and saying, “Ok Tammy, if you have all these answers, tell us how we grab the silver lining around this dark cloud.” I plan on doing just that! My suggestion is this – Family Time!  I grew up in an era of family time – family dinners at the table, games, conversations, and I always smile when I look back. My heart fills with gladness that I grew up when I did. So, what are some of the things YOU can do to bring back that wonderful era?

Family Dinner – make it a priority. Many localities are closing restaurants and gathering places. Bring your family back to the dining table for dinner. Cell phones and other devices stay in their rooms – not allowed at the table. Enjoy what your family has to say. And, everyone should have a part, from setting the table to removing the dishes, and cleaning up. By the way, this isn’t limited to just families. If you are in a roommate situation, or a couple, dinner together creates a unity of closeness.

Games and Puzzles – play a board game, or card game. Into jigsaw puzzles? They are truly my favorite! Find something in common, or dare to try something new, just get the whole clan in on the fun!

Start a family challenge – this could be sharing positive quotes or going a day without saying anything negative. Exercise challenges. Coming up with the best dinner ideas. A scavenger hunt! The list goes on and on, get creative!

Movie Night – most of us have some form of movies available to us, be it through cable pay-per-view, or a monthly subscription to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc., and the cost of renting a movie through these channels run anywhere from $2.99 to $7.99 – one time charge! That’s a huge savings for a family of four going to the movies, where the cost of a ticket averages $15.00 per person! Still not convinced? Think about how much more enjoyable it will be to watch the movie at home. Make some popcorn, put some blankets on the floor, or everyone snuggle up on the couch. Oh, another plus – you can pause the movie for a bathroom break – you won’t miss a thing! Rules? Same as family dinner – cell phones and other devices are not allowed!

There are so many ways you can embrace this time. Check out this fantastic idea I found on Facebook this morning:

I can’t think of any better way to beat this negative situation than by bringing back family time. Having actual in-person time promotes actual conversations. Maybe you’ll discover some amazing things about each other! And don’t forget to include your furbabies when coming up with ideas.