New Wineskins
Life just went from 0 to 100 mph in many households as school has started back and fall sports are about to kick up. In the midst of the busyness of a typical American life, how can you build intimacy your family? How can you make sure the deep connection many of you enjoyed growing up with your family is passed down to the next generation? Are are three places to start:
1. Create margin. Intimacy isn’t built when you shuttle kids from one activity to the next and when you and your spouse are like ships passing in the night. A full calendar doesn’t build intimacy. In fact it can be a detriment. You’ve got to be ruthless with the calendar and find a balance. As many worthwhile activities as there are out there for your family, family time (margin) is primary. Protect your family.
2. Eat meals together. As simple as this seems, it’s crazy how little this happens. Eat meals together. Everyone in the family has to eat. If you eat meals together, it’s a simple way to reinforce intimacy in your home. A dinner table filled with laughter may very well be the fondest memory your child has of the family growing up.
3. Go tech free regularly. It’s not enough to say ‘turn off the tv.’ That would work for parents, but for the kids you’ve got to turn off the cell phones too. Everyone sitting in the same room playing on their phones isn’t building intimacy, it’s building personal relationships with a screen. Create times when you’re forced to interact with each other. Go old school. Go family game night. Do something together with no electronics involved. You’ll build a deeper sense of connection with your family.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In