Creating a Healthy Family

Dear Readers:

For the month of October, I want to focus on the pleasant aspects of family ties. Like anything else worth striving for in life, healthy, happy families don't just happen. Rather, they are created.  How you accomplish that, in what style, isn't as important as taking action.

There are many ways to create lasting and positive family experiences.  Home should be the most attractive place on earth for children, and parents should be the beacon of light that draws them there.  We are created for compainship, so creating happy, positive experiences as a family is natural. 

When my children were young, I took them on many field trips.  Local areas of interest and community events are great not only for fun, but for creating community ties.  We were regulars at the local fair,  art shows, and music festivals.  We also frequented church events, not limiting ourselves to our own. We've enjoyed many concerts, plays, and other activities of many faiths.

Sundays were regular days off for the children: a respite from weekly routines and schoolwork. We usually had friends over in the morning, with a light repast.  Of course, no Sunday is complete without the traditional Sunday dinner. Ours was Latino in flavor, with tamales replacing the American tradition of chicken, and frijoles instead of potatoes.  For my family, tamale dinners are so much more than just food.  There are family memories seasoning the food I prepare that can not be duplicated by any seasoning found in even the best spice shop. 

If you haven't given any thought to creating family rituals and traditions, this weeks offerings should inspire you.  Home should be a heaven on earth, but it takes some thought and planning to create such a home.