Chris Lowrey asked:


Seasons bring about many changes, not just the weather.  During the winter, it is cold outside. It is dark when we leave our house and dark when we return. The sun abandoned us, or so it seems, and so does our energy.

Summer brings about late nights and busy days.  Extra-curricular activities seem to be at an all time high.  Social obligations, as well as planned family functions, are also squeezed into our schedule.

Even if you are busy or not-so-busy, there is always some down time that requires an activity.  Sometimes a need arises because of the energy level of our children, at other times there is simply a void that parents need to fill.

Regardless of the reason for an outing, when the urge or necessity of an event is present, the question becomes:  what to do?

When kids are young there are only so many things we can do, as families, that doesn’t cost a small fortune or are conducive to young children.  Plus, we don’t always want to entertain our children by commercial means.  Parents want to instill in children that happiness comes from many sources, but mainly family and friends.

Another issue many of us have:  Too many times we promise to get together with the special people in our lives.  We often put it off until guilt overtakes us. 

If you put those two issues together, (the need for an outing and being with family and friends), you have an opportunity to start a tradition that is good for all!

Look at how a lot of us feel in the winter:  How many of us dread getting ready for an event? We really don’t want to go but we have to. Yet when we get there, we actually have a very good time and are quite happy we went. We all go through those feelings, but more often in the winter. We just want to get home, change clothes and plop on the couch. Not surprisingly though, that rarely makes us feel better.

During the summer, time slips away and we slide on things that we later feel guilty about.

So, why not just plan a night and start looking forward to creating fun?

Plan a family dinner party!  Pick a group of friends. Or start with one or two friends and ask them to invite a friend or two. Have a get-together night.  Enjoy a cookout or make a big pot of chili, buy some tasty bread, cut up some celery and have dinner. Plan some family fun games to play while enjoying the food and each other’s company. Keep your dinner ideas simple and easy to prepare.  Remember, the trick is to enjoy your company, not wear yourself out.

Ask if anyone would like to host the next family dinner.

Pick a date, right then and there. Then, pat yourself on the back.  You had a great time, your kids had a great time, you made the people most important to you a priority and you taught you kids that friends and family are a source of enjoyment that is priceless without being pricey!



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