Are you struggling to keep the house clean, get the meals made, run the errands, finish the deadlines, or even get all the homework done?
Oh, I remember those days so well. It seemed there was always something important to conquer, a project to be made, and children to be tended to. I had a plaque that hung in my house back then that read
“Cleaning the house while the kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.”
Yes, certainly a great reminder to slow down and enjoy those little ones. I wish I could tell you I got it right all the time, but I didn’t.
I would get frustrated while juggling it all and miss those precious moments. Looking back, there are always things we’d love to change, right? However, I am thankful for the times I got it right. Especially the times we enjoyed each other’s company by just simply being together. No agenda. No deadline. No rushing.
As my son is just a few months away from college graduation and saying “I do,” I think I’ve gone a little sentimental. My heart wants to hug you young moms out there and say, “enjoy these moments!”
Yes, there are days when it seems like this season will never end. But in reality, it ends all too soon. And before you know it your babies will be getting engaged just like mine recently did.
Crazy, I know, but time really does fly by – so think about how you can slow your schedule for a minute and build moments together.
One of the best ways for the busy family to bond is to have planned family meals and gather around the table. You might not all get to sit down at the dinner table every evening together, but I bet there are a few days a week you can make that happen.
Family meals are a great way to connect a family. It’s easy to make those moments happen:
1. Plan which days your family dinners will be.
2. Put those days on the calendar and post it where the family will be reminded.
3. Pick a favorite family recipe and prepare the meal together.
4. Power down by turning off all electronics – tv, phones, internet connections – and enjoy your time together.
5. Linger over dinner.
6. Talk about what’s going on, plans coming up, and just laugh, and laugh, and laugh.
I can guarantee, you will not regret it! That precious love that is shared will never be forgotten, no matter how many deadlines you miss or rooms you don’t get cleaned.
There is a quote on the wall above our kitchen table that says, “Fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.” It is so true! Think back to Jesus’ words found in John 6:33 NIV
“For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
The bread of God is what gives us life. What better way to ensure our kids are healthy on the word of God than to build time in to our chaotic schedules to speak truth into their lives.
And I wonder, what better time could there be to talk about the Bread of Life than over the bread at our family tables?
Congratulations on the engagement of your baby…and I so believe in the table ….sharing the bread as a family. I believe the heartbeat of a family can be impacted by how much time they spend together….sharing around the table….their lives, loves, joys and sorrows. Thank you!
You say it perfectly – the heartbeat of the family can be impacted by our time together. Our attitudes when we are together are infectious. If we are full of laughter, then our children will be. If we are full of negative comments, then our children will be. Blessings girl!
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
I so take this advice seriously!! I find myself with 3 little boys often wishing days away…I know I shouldn’t but some of those days are so long!! I like how practical your tips are…hoping to implement with my little boys before they become all grown up:)
Kristi recently posted..What matters most….
Kristi – that’s where I was when the kids were little. It seemed like those loooooong days would never end. I remember others telling me “these days will pass quickly” and I thought “yeah – you don’t remember because you’ve lost your mind.” Oh my those precious friends so remembered well – the days do pass too quickly!!! Blessings friend.
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
Thanks for the wonderful points! I’m proud to say we have family dinner every night. We’ve moved up the dinner hour to around 5pm so this is possible. There will come a day (my oldest turns 14 today!) when we’ll have to plan on only a few family dinners a week; however, I believe that instilling the tradition of family dinner today will make it a habit my children won’t want to set aside.
Happy Tuesday!
Larri – so glad you are at a stage where you can still have those family meals every day! As they get older it does become trickier, but you already have the habit in place so your children will crave that family time. Mine still come home and plan family meals for us. Blessings girl.
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
So true! I’ve been feeling it a lot lately as my baby is no longer a baby. Time is falling through my hands. Thanks for your great suggestions to grab some of that time together.
Christina recently posted..Grace for Imperfect Faith
Christina – capture any moment you can and make special family memories. You’ll begin a habit your kids won’t forget, and they will also want for the future. Thanks for your sweet comment today! Blessings
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
Alene, this is lovely!
And so wonderfully encouraging.
We need to hear these words, the reminders from those who have been there before, and take them to heart.
Grateful for you, friend!!
Meredith recently posted..The Faith of Obedience
Thank you always for your encouragement! We need to all remind each other to slow down and cherish those special times with family. love ya girl!
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
So excited to here what you have to share next week. I love meals together…lots of laughing. Time together is priceless and I am feeling the time move into high speeds as my baby turns ten this month. Gotta go make dinner =)
Laura recently posted..Teach your Girl about Gossip
Can’t wait sweet friend. I’m glad you are noticing that time flies and making it a point to slow down and enjoy those precious moments that are gone before long. Blessings girl!
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
Dear Arlene,
My grown children talk about the times they remember growing up and they are always about things we talked about or places we saw or activities we did together. Each child had their own special activities and I grew as an adult learning about what interested them. My son and I spent days in the library in 1986 researching digital sound (it was in its infancy then) and my second son is now preparing to run a half marathon after years of running 5K’s with me. My tomboy daughter and I must have played hundreds of games of Monopoly and her sister liked watercolors and flower arranging. She still has to arrange my flowers, but I do use watercolor when I make greeting cards. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without those precious moments with my children. I wouldn’t trade them for anything, yet, at the time, I could have used a nap everyday while I was trying to keep up with them!
Thanks for this lovely post,
Dawn
Dawn B recently posted..I guess that settles it
Dawn – thank you for your awesome and truthful comments. It is so true how much we learn from our children. All those special events and things we do together — even if it is a simple as a trip to the library — make for memories we’ll never forget, as well as for a close and tight family. Thank you sweet Dawn! You inspire me to keep making time for those priceless moments.
Posiltively Alene recently posted..stop for the one tuesday. {volunteer appreciation}
I love that quote! I need to print that out and stick it up somewhere to keep me from being discouraged I think
Rhoda recently posted..God Loves to Bless Us & UK Fellowship Friday
Rhoda – I have quotes up everywhere! They are a great reminder to me of where my heart needs to be. Blessings friend – don’t be discouraged – just take today and make a small moment today, then do the same tomorrow.
Posiltively Alene recently posted..the glory of the open flower is beyond telling.
Loved this, Alene. Thank you!
I have so many memories of all of us wrapped around her dining room table, laughing as we lingered long together.
My grandmother used to call her dining room the living room. And she would invite us to all linger long in the living room when we were there
Yes. that’s what I want. I might just rename my dining room, too
hugs to you, friend!
Nikki recently posted..Layers Exposed
Sweet friend – you always bless! Love your grandmother — she definitely understood the value of the family dinner table! Thanks for sharing a piece of her with us. love ya
Posiltively Alene recently posted..the glory of the open flower is beyond telling.
There are some truly precious reminders here, Alene! Thank you for that…and for sharing your heart. I cannot believe that you are old enough to have a son graduating from college, let alone getting married…you look SO young! You Go Girl!