Kids are pulled a hundred different ways in our current culture. Loving parents don't want their children to miss out on a single experience. Kids end up learning a musical instrument, doing a sport, enrolled in this or that class and this or that activity, all while trying to keep up with school.

As a result, children and parents alike are stressed out!

You can counter stressful scheduling by taking a couple of simple steps. First, discuss with your children which activities they like the most. Allow them to focus on those. Depending on the size of your family, a reasonable guideline might be for each child to be allowed to participate in one or two activities at a time.

Second, introduce a time each week-or even each day-when you as a family focus on time together without other commitments pulling your attention away. During this time focus on simple, stress-free pleasures. This will help you all relax and give you a chance to enjoy each other as a family.

Family bonds are incredibly important. One poll taken last year found that more kids value their family time above everything else. Seventy-three percent of kids answered that their relationship with their parents was a source of happiness.

These important family bonds are difficult to build and maintain when you are all flung to the four winds. Bring some peace, quiet, and good old family fun back into your life. Here are few ideas to get you started.

Reading

Reading is important. I don't think you'd find a teacher, businessperson, or parent out there who wouldn't agree. Reading provides an excellent opportunity for you as a family to explore new ideas and learn more about each other. A family book club is the perfect way to do this. Take turns letting each family member pick a book. Then set weekly reading goals and meet each week to discuss what you've read. Many books have discussion topics and suggestions in the back, so leading a discussion should be easy.

Make sure you pick a book that is something everyone can enjoy-from oldest to youngest. If the reading level is above that of your youngest family member(s), have everyone else in the family take turns reading aloud to them to help them meet their weekly goals.

This activity is free with a library card, it teaches useful skills like goal-setting and speaking in front of a group, and it can be so much fun!

Making Memories

Family memories are so precious, but sometimes in the crunch of our day-to-day lives, we forget to keep a record of the moments we want to treasure. So make that your family activity.

The simplest way to do this is to keep a family journal. Once a week, sit down with your family and have each person contribute something from the past week that they want to remember. Not only will this preserve your memories, it will help everyone to know what's happening and what's important in each other's lives.

This activity is cheap-just the cost of a journal and you're set to go. Plus, you create something that you will all treasure for the rest of your lives.

Project Time

Kids love projects. When you do a project with your kids, it's impossible not to get caught up in their excitement. When I was a kid, I had friends in a neighborhood where every summer, they put on a neighborhood play. This took an immense amount of planning and work... and they had so much fun doing it. The kids picked the play, memorized their lines, helped build the sets, helped design the costumes, planned the logistics, and did the advertising. Their parents were there to lend a helping hand and enjoy the result, but they let the kids take the lead.

The kids learned so much and the parents got to spend memorable, quality time helping them along. You could do something similar with your family. It could be on a smaller scale-whatever works best for your situation. You might put on a play, a puppet show, an art show, or a magic show... the only limit is your family's imagination. 

In the Kitchen

Kids love to help in the kitchen, but in the rush of daily life, sometimes it's easier to tell them "no thanks" and just do things yourself. Why not pick one night a week, where you let your kids plan and make the meal? You will help them to shop and be there to supervise, so you will all be spending time together.

Another idea is to set up a monthly baking night. Bake several dozen cookies together and then go out together to hand deliver them to your neighbors. You'll spend time with your kids and build community ties, too.

The Great Outdoors

In the spring, summer, and early fall, there's nothing more enjoyable than going outside to play. Why not do that together as a family? You could hike, bike, or go for a swim in a lake.

If you want to try something a little more results-oriented, look into letterboxing. People all over the country hide small boxes in their favorite outdoor places. Inside is a pad of paper and a stamp. You and your family make your own stamp by carving it from an eraser. Then you set out with your stamp, an inkpad, and your own pad of paper. When you find a letterbox, you stamp the paper inside with your stamp, and you stamp your paper with the box's stamp.

It's a lot of fun-kind of like a secret treasure hunt. You'll learn a little bit about orienteering (using a compass) and get some exercise, too. To find out more, visit letterboxing.org. 

These low-tech, inexpensive activities are educational and fun. Most importantly, they get you and your family together to spend quality time, make memories, and share stories. 

Heather Robson is a local freelance writer with a passion for healthy families. You can send her questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Tips On Making Family Time 

It's easy to have good intentions, but unless you act on them, nothing will come of them. Here are some strategies to help you make a weekly family time work for you.

1. Set a time each week and make it non-negotiable. If the time interferes with an activity that someone really wants to do, make a change only if it works for everyone.
2. Get everyone involved in the planning-this is supposed to be non-stressful. If everyone pitches in, it will be less stressful and more fun.
3. Keep it low-tech. The point is to interact with each other, not just sit near each other. Avoid movies and computer games, and stick to good old-fashioned fun.