Family Recreation is Vital

BEING TOGETHER is extremely important to the health and well-being of the family. However, especially in today's world, family members can easily be pulled in many different directions. Therefore, the purposeful planning of family leisure activities is paramount. In fact, calendaring the family's free-time fun and activities is just as imperative as scheduling events or activities related to work, school, or other organizations.

Consider this scenario: Dad is caught-up in his responsibilities at work and with a local civic club. Mom faces deadlines in her professional position at the office - in addition to her necessary duties at home. Both also do volunteer work in their community. The couple's son, a high school freshman, is often busy with friends and sports activities; their oldest daughter, a middle school student, plays in the band, and is interested in swimming; their youngest daughter, still in elementary school, is involved with dance and gymnastics. At least one of the family vehicles is on the road quite often providing taxi service to get the kids where they need to be. Here, quite likely, is a family in need of more time to do things together. A solution to this situation is family recreation.

Choices for family fun times and enjoyable recreation activities are endless. The traditional summer vacation for a week or longer is still enjoyed by some families. The distance to the destination is not the key issue; but rather the idea of getting away from home, a change of scenery and routine, and simply being together. Some families believe it is important enough to borrow money - if necessary - in order to go on a vacation. Shorter trips - on weekends, for example - can also give family members good quality time with each other.

Additional possibilities for family fun might include trips to theme parks, zoos, caves, museums, discovery centers, or professional ball games. Other commercial recreation establishments offer bowling, roller skating, or ice skating. The circus is a hit with most families. A family campout can be great fun. Picnics at the park, swimming or boating at the lake, or watching live entertainment can have strong family appeal. Biking or hiking as a family group combines fun, exercise, and togetherness. Playing games together - either outside or inside - is popular with many families.

Keep in mind, it is not always what the family does, but rather the fact that they are doing something together that is so very important. Perhaps some words from the past should be reconsidered in our society today: the family that plays together tends to stay together.