Advertising feature
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
IT'S not a week that has been celebrated since the beginning of time, in fact only since 2003, but National Families Week holds important significance on the family calendar.
National Families Week started as an initiative which aimed to give families, their children, young people and communities the opportunity to build a better future.
The 2016 theme for National Families Week is 'Stronger Families, Stronger Communities' and will be celebrated from May 15 to 21.
While there are many community focused events going on during the week (check your local council site or Families Australia site for an event in your area), family begins in the home.
When was the last time you stopped and gave your child a hug just because? Or, made time for a family dinner — together?
This advertising feature is sponsored by the following businesses. Click the link to learn more:
Have you taken the time to sit down and have a family discussion on what everyone has been up to or what is coming up recently.
In today's busy world where most households have two parents working and children participating in many extracurricular activities it is hard to all be in the same place at the same time.
But it is important every now and then to reconnect with the people who share the same house as you and enjoy their company.
It doesn't mean staying home either.
You could pack a picnic and spend some time in the park.
Go as a family to a sporting match (this could even be a family members game).
A family visit to the grandparents house or if you don't have any there are some wonderful programs where you can adopt a granny or grandpa — not only will you feel good for making an effort, the person you visit will appreciate your company and quite likely you would have made their week.
If there is a household pet then it is important to include them in family time. Not only will it benefit the pet’s health, studies have shown interaction with animals calms the nerves and helps with relaxation. Your pet will be grateful for the attention as well and is more likely to be obedient with regular interaction.
So the inclusion of Fido the family pooch will help bond and strengthen relationships and be another topic all will have the same interest in, making talk around the dinner table more likely to be positive rather than negative.
If children see healthy relationships they are more likely to develop one themselves with others. Make sure you have quality adult time as well so children see harmony in the home.
It's not hard really.
We can make time for a haircut, doing the dishes or watching the news — so commit to having a happier and healthier family and book in some quality time.