Family Recreation
4 Principles:
1. Wholesome recreation is not the same as idleness or aimless leisure.
2. Wholesome recreation is not just spontaneous play.
3. Wholesome recreation helps to establish family rituals that create bonding experiences.
4. Wholesome recreation needs to be balanced with our obligation to work.
President Ezra Taft Benson said to fathers:
"Go on daddy-daughter dates and father and sons' outings with your children. As a family, go on campouts and picnics, to ball games and recitals, to school programs...Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children."
I testify that this principle is true. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of family campouts and trips to Nauvoo or Palmyra. :)
Interesting note: Studies have shown that the longer you watch TV, the worse you feel. I totally believe this. If I watch TV for more than a few hours I feel really slow and my head feels heavy and dull.
Suggestions for wholesome recreation:
1. Select recreation that builds meaningful relationships.
2. Regularly choose challenging activities that stretch each family member.
3. Clarify the purpose of activity.
4. Select activities in which participants can acquire a sense of mastery and competence.
5. Incorporate intellectual and creative elements.
6. Look for opportunities to promote moral behavior.
7. Select activities that will rejuvenate both the mind and body.
Blended Families:
A blended family (parents that remarry and already have children of their own) always comes about as the result of dreams cut short or not working out. As such, the members of the blended family must have extra faith and trust in the Lord. A few pointers to help with the adjustment:
* If possible, sell your old home and your spouse's home and buy a new home. Memories cling very closely around homes, and it would be in the best interest of family to start afresh.
* Think of this blended family as a "new" and not a "replacement" family.
* Start new traditions instead of borrowing from both families.
* Remember that it will never be perfect, and it will take time to feel comfortable and natural.
Have a great week!
Emma and I went on a "Mommy and me" date Friday night. I took her to see the middle school production of Guys and Dolls. We got dressed up; she decided she needed to take her violin in the car because we were going to a "play" (in her mind, that meant going to play instruments, I guess); and we had a fabulous, fabulous time. I'm a big fan of wholesome recreation.
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