Grow Your Bond With Your Growing Family

As a family with kids who span a great deal in age, it can be challenging to find ways for everyone to connect. With work, school and extracurricular activities, it's also challenging to find opportunities when everyone is available to convene. It's essential to a healthy family relationship. No matter what age, it's easy to find some common ground if you take the time to look for it.

Redecorate Together

As your kids get older and enter new phases of their lives, there will be times when home updates are necessary. Maybe your baby is graduating to his "big boy bed," and you want to make his room look less nursery-ish and more suitable for a little kid. Perhaps your high schooler has been begging for her own bedroom instead of cohabiting with her tween sister. In this case, it may be time to remove and replace various items and set up a room that's more conducive to studying, one that supports a little more privacy. Maybe all your kids are reaching their teenage years, and it's time to transform the playroom into a game room or a dedicated space for schoolwork. Whatever the plan, everyone can get involved in some aspect of the project. It's the place you all call home, so take into consideration any ideas and opinions your kids have to offer. Give them age-appropriate tasks. Working together on projects helps to give each member a sense of ownership and a purpose. You might even learn some DIY skills together in the process.

Eat Meals Together

Bonding as a family doesn't require anything elaborate. You may discover that sitting down at the table, eating a meal together is one of your most enjoyable times as a family. Even if you don't have other time to spend time together during the day, an hour for dinner can prove valuable for you all. Let the kids have a say in what's on the menu some days. Ask them to help you prepare it. Engaging your kids in the meal shopping and preparation process can drive them to eat healthier.

Work Out Together

Working out as a family can give you fun bonding time while maintaining your health. People of every age can participate in some type of physical activity. Take a walk every evening after dinner or ride your bikes around your neighborhood. Shoot some baskets in the driveway or throw around a ball in the yard. If you have access to a pool, swimming is an excellent way to stay fit as a family in the warm months. Whatever your activity, it'll give you and your family a chance to chat, have fun and bond while learning healthy practices.

Volunteer Together

Volunteering together can give kids and adults alike a feeling of purpose and a sense of pride. It can provide your kids with a glimpse into the lives of others who are less fortunate. It'll also teach them that, in addition to the help you're devoting to others, volunteering can make you feel good about yourself. It can even give you what's often referred to as the "helper's high."

Gather Together

Family meetings are a great way to open communication to the entire family, giving everyone equal time to make their voice heard. It can help your kids feel more comfortable about opening up to their parents and siblings. Preteens and teens may have complaints about not having enough freedom. Younger kids may feel left out from some activities that the older kids get to do. Whatever it is, let them know that their thoughts and feelings matter. Try to include positive points at each meeting, such as asking for vacation ideas for the summer.

Always take any opportunity available to bond with your family. Your kids won't be home forever. For now, they may complain about a family game night occasionally. In the end, though, they'll always hold the fond memories of those priceless moments spent with their family.