Family - October 2007

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some are the "average" family: father, mother and 2.4 children (I guess that means they have one on the way). *LOL* Some are single parent families. Some are blended families, with "steps" of every shape and sort. Some are foster families. Some are adopted families.

There are also work families, project families, worship families ... you name any group of people and you can probably form some type of family relationship within that group.

But for the sake of simplicity, and because I have the most experience with the "traditional" form of family (in my case, father, mother, three children) that's how I will write about a family. Please make whatever changes necessary to fit how your family distributes those roles or functions.

In a 1950's traditional family, the father goes out to work, the mother stays home and does the child-rearing, the kids go to school and all is right with the world. This is rarely the case these days. I would hazard a guess that many families with two parents have both of them working, maybe even both full-time. Sometimes this is necessary. We could use more than one income in my family - as we regularly run out of paycheck before the pay period is over. But we do ok.

IMO, if both parents work in order that the family can purchase a house in which to live, that is a "good" reason to be absent from the family. If both parents work so they can get a boat or the latest in electronics etc, I'm not sure that's such a good idea. BUT, before people start screaming, that's just how it is for me and my family. If those items are priorities for you and your family, then it suits you.

I guess my point is, make the most of the time you have together as a family. Here are some random thoughts on how that can happen (feel free to add your own):

- parents help children with homework
- volunteer together as a family
- have as many meals together as a family during the week as possible
- have a chore chart that includes everyone old enough to help, including mom and dad.
- parents volunteer at your child's/children's school(s). They may not say it, but your kids really get a charge out of their parent(s) being there.
- teach children how to cook (so they can help prepare the family's meals).
- watch a movie "en famille" complete with popcorn and drinks.
- go to a worship service together.

Here's to the strengthening of your family this month and every month!