How to Keep Your Family Together

Have you ever noticed how families that grew up so closely knit seem to drift apart once they’re married with kids or pursuing their career? It’s not always that they don’t love each other any more; it’s more like time and distance won’t allow it. But there are things you can do to help keep your family together even after they’ve left the nest.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Select one day a year for a family barbecue at one of your homes. Don’t make it a public park--try to keep this personal. Make it a day when everyone can attend and make it the party of the year. Get everyone involved in contributing to the meal, and talk about the day with excitement so that your kids will know that this day is really special for you. And then start planning for next year.
2. Take advantage of special holidays and get the whole family to join in the celebration; birthdays, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day.
3. Express the love for your grandkids by giving each one of them a “special birthday” party each year at your home. The kids will look forward to it and the parents will want to be part of it so that everyone’s kids can have the same party event.
4. Get a phone with a good speaker and call them when everyone else is at your home if distance prevents one or more family members from attending. Better still, get a video phone. Take several minutes and talk and laugh together. This keeps the family close in heart even while distance separates them.
5. Get your own domain on the Internet and call it your family site. Give everyone access and open a chat room for just your family. Have everyone put photos on the bulletin board on a regular basis. This not only keeps you all up-to-date on each other’s lives, but it allows each of you the opportunity to get family help when needed.

Tips & Warnings

• There’s nothing more precious in life than being part of a family that loves you.