Article for International Day for Families by Phoebe David

How to Keep a Family Together in a Busy World

Everyone is so busy; it is often difficult to find time to spend together as a family. With spouses working, housework and children rushing off to after school activities, watching TV or working on the computer, family time has to be managed efficiently. May 15 is International Day of Families and two people responded to our request to tell us how UNWA members arrange for family time.

“As parents, we all struggle to do what is best for our children, and we worry about them. The good news is that our kids recognize what really matters foremost in their lives - family, friends and time. As parents, we have redefined what family time means to us. What really counts is not the quantity but rather the quality of time we spend with the family.

“Many of us get so wrapped up with our day-to-day lives that we sometimes neglect those most important to us - our family members. Working or not working, days fill up fast. Between grocery shopping, getting the house running smoothly, driving children to extra curricular activities and games practice and simply keeping soccer, baseball and tennis uniforms clean,  time disappears quickly. And for working mothers, work demands, managing the household chores and outside obligations just get in the way. This becomes a vicious cycle and soon we realize our children have grown up before our very eyes.

“For us, we make it a point to spend time together as a family.

“Since I started working, I have programmed my day quite efficiently. My daughter is almost 13 years old and my son has just turned ten.  Depending on our work demands, we set aside specific times to get together with them - a cuddle in front of the TV, dinner together while talking, asking them about their day and sincerely listening to what they tell us. Just simply sharing our day’s activities.  

“When the kids are in front of the TV, I retire to my computer or take a short nap. But it automatically comes to me to turn off the TV when I know it is time to do their assignments. Afterwards, we play cards, tell stories, read the Bible or the two boys (my son and his dad) spend time playing, making jokes and laughing together.  This ends our day.

“But how do we start our day? Each of us go our own way. That means kids to school, me and my husband to our work.  Despite our routine activities, I make it a point to see that part of our day is delegated to getting involved in our kids’ lives. We help them with school work. My daughter is more independent and she prefers to do it alone and we do the follow up afterwards. My son still needs a good supervising.

“On Fridays, we do give them their privacy.  They like to spend time with friends in the pool or have lunch with them after their tennis lessons, while my husband and I spend time together alone, too. I believe that spending time with the family does not just mean with the kids. My husband and I take time to be together, either having dinner alone or with friends or just simply watching a movie or going dancing.

“Dinner with our daughter and son is a good opportunity where everyone can count on being together and that is why we love to go eat at a restaurant regularly.

“We will be going soon to my country for the Easter holidays. We love this time together and cherish the moments where we can have fun and adventure.”