The Healthy Family Impact
This time with our families could impact our nation greater than the virus ever will. What we do with our families will impact our nation much more than a virus. So, how are we making sure that we do not waste this moment?
The family is the one institution that exists everywhere globally. There may not be a government, a school, a business, or an entertainment industry in every neighborhood. But the family is the one constant in every neighborhood, village, city, nation, and continent. The family is what shapes every society on earth.
For this reason, the family is the greatest evangelism tool the church has ever had. First, because the family has the responsibility of raising disciples/children who will lead in every sector of society. And second, because the family lives in the community context and has immediate access globally.
I’ve been praying God would use this moment to turn the family around in America.
Seeing our families across this nation spending so much time together is going to impact our nation in a profound way. We may not see it for years, but, this Quarantine is going to create healthier families and children who will marry and create healthier families and children of their own. This is not a time to be fearful, or selfish, or childish. This is a time to be childlike.
Practical Family Dynamics
This week I saw a teenager post this on Instagram, “I’m actually liking this time off because we never spend this much time as a family.“ I think a lot of people feel this way right now.
Here are a few things you can do to create healthy families during this quarantine:
Healthy Marriages and Parenting - The Parents in a home model honor, respect, communication, and authority. When the marriage and the parenting relationship is healthy then the family will be also. Maybe you are in a traditional home with both biological parents present, or, a blended home, or even a home with a single parent. There is no default home in America.
I have often watched the best kids come from the worst homes and the worst kids come from the best homes. It is a matter of parental leadership and authority. Build a loving and accepting space that your children will want to run home to!
The Family Table - What a place of impact! When the family creates a meal together magic happens. At this time, there are no excuses for eating together. However, maybe when things return to normal this is a discipline that happens twice or three times a week. The conversations that take place around the table will change your family dynamic.
We always had a rule in our home - you can talk with food in your mouth! This is the place where everyone finds out how everyone is doing. A family conversation around the table is very important and builds relationships and identity and trust.
Sibling Relationships - We have lost the sibling relationship in our homes over the last 25 years. I can remember growing up with my brothers and sister and the impact they had on my life. Siblings have a special way of impacting our lives through conversation, accountability, and understanding.
We're not just raising a fatherless or a motherless generation anymore. We are raising a sibling-less generation now. Help our families build healthy relationships with each other by setting up family meetings, having siblings pick each other up from events, and helping with homework.
Family Recreation - When is the last time you had a family vacation? My children still talk about vacations that we took years ago. Every family could use more memories, laughter, and education. Family vacations can create all of these things. The inspiration that comes from family recreation can also take place with movie nights, board games, and yard games that cost very little or nothing.
Maybe you need to get creative and have a stay-cation in your area that lasts the weekend and doesn’t cost that much. Or maybe a day-cation to do things like a day event at a museum or to the park. My son who lives in Los Angeles takes his three kids to get donuts every Saturday morning! Something tells me they will never forget this.
Community Involvement - Doing community involvement is a great education in the home. Maybe you go to a local shelter or a food kitchen to help serve the homeless. Or maybe you volunteer at a local nonprofit. There are all kinds of ways for a family to be present in the community where they live.
Our family committed to providing meals at Thanksgiving. We would go to the grocery store and let the kids choose the groceries and then deliver them to a family in need. Another great way to have an impact on the community is to be involved with the activities and events in your area. Sports teams, fine arts programs, or club involvement are easy to attend because our children are involved already. Try getting involved with the local schools and meeting other parents, teachers, coaches, and even your neighbors.
Finally
Not sure how you are feeling right now. But I think all of us could take some time to create new patterns in our homes during this quarantine. As a family, we FaceTimed again this week and it was so great watching my grand-sons at home with my kids. Yes, it was chaos! We laughed so hard.
Remember, kids don’t care about this virus. They just want to play. They just want their parents to be around. They just want to eat. Create a healthy family and watch the impact it has on our nation.