Many aspects of family life have changed in the past fifty years. Eating together as a family has become almost unheard of, and yet it is at the supper table or the Sunday dinner that many issues of life can be solved. Parents are wise to find time to sit down with their children for one meal a day. Fast food and hurried schedules can sometimes make for so little time that children and parents have no time for one another.

Children need to be heard. Listening to the ramblings of a ten-year-old when travelling from McDonald’s to the soccer practice may not be enough time. for the young person to get to the point of the story. Recently, I picked my great granddaughter up from one practice and took her to another. We stopped at McDonald’s drive-through, and she ate on the run. She is a talker. We were just getting into a real conversation when we arrived at the ballpark. Time was so short and my opportunity to share with her that day was lost. I plan to go back to that discussion, but time left us much too soon.

As my children grew and changed, I found that one-on-one conversation as we rode to a nearby town for piano lessons or a ballgame became the confession time for both my children and me. Sometimes I needed to talk to them privately. It can take a while before the true issue is revealed (particularly with some young boys). Families need to be together for a time each day if possible. Just touching base with one another gives a security to each member of the family. (Parents as well as children)

As children bring home friends the family may begin to grow. In our family our children had friends who had no family structure, so we became their family. Sunday dinners and family outings included these young people, and I spoke to them and disciplined them just as I did my own. They were held responsible for their actions as though they were a member of our family. “Take off your shoes when you come in here.” Turn down that television” Get off that couch with those dirty clothes.” Get me a chair, please.” Family behavior was expected. Of course, these same young people received “Good Job.” “I was proud of you.” “I will pray for you.” Comments of love and acceptance can make children feel they belong to the family group.

Making time to listen for all the people involved with your family is perhaps one of the most important factors for keeping each one close and in the circle of family love.

It isn’t a choice to take time-the choice is to MAKE time.