{"id":245,"date":"2015-09-08T10:37:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-08T14:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2015\/09\/family-nights-prep-less-enjoy-more.html"},"modified":"2023-11-14T18:09:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T23:09:05","slug":"family-nights-prep-less-enjoy-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/family-nights-prep-less-enjoy-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Nights: Prep Less, Enjoy More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is so easy to get sucked up into afterschool classes, running kids to sports activities, work, and well… life. This year, we are making it a priority to set aside one night every week for a family night<\/a> BBQ (summer) or Bonfire (fall). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is our goal to embrace the moment and be more present in our children’s lives. <\/p>\n\n\n

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Georgia Pacific. The opinions and text are all mine. Thanks to Dixie<\/a> #bemorehere campaign – I get to share our family adventures with you! This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll be honest – our family NEEDS these scheduled weekly dinners to connect.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the distractions of TV, school, computer games and Facebook, it is easy for our evenings to get away from us without really connecting with our kids. This has been a hot-topic among our play groups and mom’s get together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I really appreciate Dixie<\/a> starting this conversation online and providing me the opportunity to share about it.\u00a0 Family time is SO important!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s been over a month since we have started this family night and the kids are already looking forward to our weekly campfires. Without the fuss of our typical, what’s for dinner rush, these once a week family nights have become a fast favorite family tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See our back-to-school Family BBQ.
You’ll never guess what I served!!!<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, I set “the tray” on the kitchen counter and my 9 year old’s eyes lit up. “Can I help get ready for family night?” she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why of course you can!
Together,  we were able to gather and assemble a meal in minutes, giving us more time to enjoy other things (like an impromptu dance party in the living room!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These family moments are something that I oh, so treasure. It sometimes feels that I will blink and their entire childhood will have disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 Tips for Family Nights: Prep Less, Enjoy More <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1.  Set aside a special time each week to connect.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pick one night each week to re-connect as a family, BUT don’t stress about that one night.  IF your night is Thursday night, but Thursday doesn’t work, switch it to Saturday at noon (or the time that works). The goal for us to to make these nights memorable, not packed with stress and worry <\/i>fancy themed decorations, grandma’s heirloom serving dish, or that my kids are in cute matching outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Use a tray<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I cannot speak highly enough about my white tray<\/a>. It makes bonfire nights so much easier. We just stack everything we need on in: plates, cups, silverware, fruit, chips, skewers and anything else we might need on it. Then it’s one trip out to the fire pit. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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The kids know when they see our tray that it is going to be a BBQ night on the deck or a campfire in the backyard.  <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Choose easy to prepare meals.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span>Forgo the elaborately carved watermelon bowl, plastic forks stuck in pre-cut watermelon from the store saves a TON of time and work just as well for serving, if not better. My kids thought this was so much fun and giggled as they forked their watermelon cubes. I could have just given them the biggest kisses they were so cute, except there was watermelon juice dripping down their chin (ewe- no kisses for the moment!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go for simple meals like sandwiches that can be assembled quickly.\u00a0Try something different – splurge and order take out.\u00a0Eat on a picnic blanket outside.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reality is, time with family is special.\u00a0Enjoy it in all it’s simplicity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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4. Get the kids involved. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As I said earlier, my 9 year old helped fill the tray to take outside with us. I also bring the paper cups<\/a> together with a pitcher of lemonade. The kids help label the cups and pour the beverages. This cuts down on waste at big gatherings and lets them practice the life skill of pouring (which uses fine motor skills) and independence.<\/p>\n\n\n

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5. Go healthy… or at least healthier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have a garden and love to bake. I like to think of myself as a part “crunchy” part “realistic” mom. I try to provide my kids with well balanced meals, but offer occasional, not so healthy meals too. Here are some things that work for my family without taking any extra time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n