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5 Tips for a Meaningful Family Weekend

“I need a weekend to recover from the weekend!” Have you ever said that on a Sunday night? Some weekends, my family runs around like chickens with our heads cut off, and other weekends, we all stare at screens. Neither is the way I want to spend these precious days off, especially because I can see my kids growing before my eyes, and I know the weekends we have left together will pass by quickly. Having a meaningful family weekend has become top of mind for me.

We don’t have to stress in order to make Friday night through Sunday time well spent with the kids. Just a little bit of forethought and the right mindset is all it takes. Try these 5 tips to make this weekend a meaningful one with your family.

1. Plan ahead.

Meaningful family weekends don’t just happen. Sure, you want to be spontaneous and not plan out every minute, but if you don’t know how you want your weekend to unfold, it might just turn into a lackluster collection of hours. Sometime toward the end of the week, look at what you have on your family calendar. Next, decide ahead of time how much screen time you’ll give everyone (yourself included). Then consider what everyone might enjoy. Maybe it’s movie night at home with popcorn on Friday. You could play a board game, take a family walk or hike, or even do a craft.

2. Make the most of meal time.

conversation starters for kids

A meaningful family weekend will almost always include a meal. Make it fun by trying a themed meal (like having Chinese food while you watch the original version of Mulan), or maybe a big breakfast with pancakes, cinnamon rolls, or something that’s not part of your Monday through Friday routine. Eating together on the weekend is sometimes more doable than weekday meals, so take advantage of sitting down together. You can use some of our printable conversation starters to add another connection dimension.

3. Say no when you need to.

Sometimes the weekend seems to plan itself—sports schedules, birthday parties. Even though those things seem like “must-dos,” they’re not. You have the final say. So if there’s just too much going on, cut something out, even if it means telling your parents you can’t come over for lunch on Sunday, or telling your children they can’t go to both birthday parties they’re invited to on Saturday.

4. Take it in.

Moms can fall into the trap of being so focused on making sure fun is happening that they don’t notice that fun is actually happening! Pause throughout the day and take mental pictures. Snap a “photo” of the kids getting along. Take a mental selfie when your teenage daughter gives you a hug. (You’ll want to remember that one!) Take a mental family photo when everyone’s laughing at Dad’s lame joke at the dinner table.

5. Have backup.spring activities for kids I'm bored jar

Have a few tricks up your sleeve for when you hear the dreaded “I’m bored!” Our I’m Bored Jar Printable has lots of ideas for banning boredom. Also, have craft supplies like paper, colored pencils, and glue on hand. And don’t be afraid to let your kids be bored. Tell them to go outside and play or to play together with a board game, not a computer.

What is your favorite way to spend the weekend with your family?

ASK YOUR CHILD...

Let’s plan a themed dinner and a movie. What movie should we watch?

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