5 Ways to Reconnect With Your Family on a Daily Basis

Whether you're just starting your own family or you're ten years old trying to get through the school runs, the weekend practices and friends gatherings, we all need some time to recover.

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If you're the type of person who considers your family your rock, chances are you've been on a rollercoaster ride of good times and bad with them, too. Keeping in touch with each of your family members is the ultimate way to achieve household harmony. But that is easier said than done!

So here are five unique ways to reconnect with your family and bring you all closer together:

Cut out the noise

In today's instant world, where every message needs an immediate reply and every email heralds its own arrival, sometimes your phone can demand more of your time than your family.

Make sure you take time to hang out together and share your thoughts on the day. Getting everyone in the same physical space allows you to focus on each other and really listen. Shut out the noise of the outside world, don't let your thoughts drown in the flood of everyday information that goes through every household. Make time for the ones you love the most and share experiences to reflect on in the future. Even half an hour at the table for a homemade meal is enough.

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Listen

Sharing an uncomfortable or difficult experience can be difficult - we all know it! When your child experiences this for the first time, it is very important that you are there for them and listen with open ears.

But don't forget your elders! Some of the most fascinating family stories I have ever heard come from my grandfather. He told me stories from the time he was invited to training for the national soccer team when the first-choice goalkeeper didn't show up; the force of the ball threw it into the net! And around the day he met my grandmother, after watching her through the windows of his house to decide if she was "worth his time." The air filled with cigar smoke as I listened to him tell me story after story as we played backgammon. It brought us so much closer - I loved hearing his stories and he loved telling them.

Don't be afraid to share

Storytelling has existed for centuries as a way to bring families and communities closer together through education. Sharing your own highlights and lowlights with someone can bring them out of their shell, open them up to a topic they've never explored before, or create a bond you never expected to develop would.

The effect on the listener is endless. You never know how much someone will learn or find solace in what you have to say, or how your personal experience might end up shaping their life as well. One often learns best from experience; If you can learn a valuable lesson through the experiences of others, finding it out for yourself can save you a lot of time and effort!

diary for your life

Not only is journaling a therapeutic way to keep track of things, it's also a great habit to teach your kids. Keeping a journal can be a constant source of personal support in life. Journaling regularly, acknowledging your fears, and rejoicing in your successes will bring you one step closer to understanding yourself.

The best part is that you can look back at previous dates from time to time and relive your favorite moments. Why not take it a step further and share this with your kids? I really enjoyed hearing about my grandfather's experiences when he first met my grandmother, so I'm sure your kids would love to hear about the person you are beyond your role as parents too . Understanding each other on a deeper level can help you bond and bring the family closer together.

Traveling

Getting out of the house can do wonders for your mind and body. It doesn't have to break the bank either. This fall, try to create some heartwarming memories that your kids will remember for years to come.

Seasonal memories are the best. When your children grow up and leave home, they will look back on their memories of family activities during the fall and winter months. Take them to play in piles of amber leaves, have snowball fights, maybe even host your own chestnut wars!

Bringing your family together is one of the most precious achievements of your life. I look forward to covering a range of topics from celebrating milestones to building strong relationships between your children and their grandparents and much more.

What do you do to bring your family together? I would also love to hear about your experiences of reuniting your family! Let me know via @rutgernow on Twitter and use #familyeducation.

By: 5 Ways to Reconnect With Your Family on a Daily Basis