Here are some healthy changes we are attempting to implement in our family. You don’t have to wait for the new year to make God-honoring changes. What might the Lord want you to change in your family? Do you have any “3 LESS” or “3 MORE” that you would like to share?
LESS TV
- Less TV for Riley during the day (I’ve already seen the benefits of this!) Just aiming to leave the TV off a lot more. Whatever you feel is okay for your children, try to limit it even further. It won’t hurt them.
- Less TV for my Hubby and I in the evening. There is not much worth watching any way! We are striving to begin a devotional together (Seeking Him). Attempting to play more games, talk more, and pray more together as a couple. After the kids go to bed is a perfect time for this!
LESS Computer
- Less computer during the day. Less computer, and less TV forces us to “do more” as a family. I’m going to be seeking to have my children clean alongside me more, and to make it fun! To teach and train them as I do my daily duties throughout the day.
LESS Spending Money
- As my husband and I sat down once again, and reevaluated our finances, we are reminded of the importance of abiding by a budget.
- What expenditures can I do without? What is not necessary? (Maybe cutting out the cable, switching to a cheaper garbage service, cutting coupons, etc) What ways can I help “save”?
MORE Eating Together as a Family
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Sadly, sometimes dinnertime is not very “family-oriented” in our home. Husband may eat in front of the TV, while I hurry to get the kids fed, while standing at the kitchen counter eating a bite here and there, if I’m lucky.
- Striving to set a good example by having the dinner ready close to when my husband gets home.
MORE Playing and Laughing Together
- Laughter is the PERFECT medicine for the soul (whether you are a civilized adult or a lively child). We ALL need a good dose of laughter. Seeking to laugh and play more with my children throughout the day. Play games together, sing and dance to Christmas tunes around the living room, play make believe – have a pretend picnic or a parade. What about a camp out on the floor and tell bible stories.
- I have found that watching less TV tends to make more messes throughout the house. Ya know what? That is okay with me! I am seeing that what really matters is spending quality time together. Even if it means cleaning up that messy play dough off the table for the hundredth time. It’s okay!
MORE Consistent and God-Honoring Discipline
- We have found that when we get “lax and lazy” with discipline, we tend to get more angry and frustrated. Attempting to respond quickly, calmly, and Spirit-filled when disciplining. When we do this, we see the fruit, we do not get angry, and we have a closer relationship with our children, and with one another.
- Along with discipline, we see the importance of instilling good manners, good stewardship, and good work ethic. Trying to continue to teach our children to use common manners (please, thank you, may I, etc), good stewardship (teaching little ones to have fun and be children, minus “destructive behavior”). Being a good steward means striving to take good care of what the Lord has blessed us with. Guide your children in instilling a good work ethic. This is something that is lacking in today’s generation. When they make a mess, ask them to clean it up when they are done. When they finish a meal, (if they are old enough) ask them to say “may I get down please” and have them push in their chair and bring their plate to the sink. It is the little things that will create Godly habits in our children.
So, what would you like to add? You may have already implemented some or all of these in your family. What is some fruit you have seen from these behaviors/habits/lifestyle changes?
Thanks for visiting!