Are you blaming the TV for not spending enough quality time with your family? John Rosmond writes:

"A hundred years ago, American families gathered around the hearth in the evenings to share warmth and conversation. As they talked, they gestured with animation and looked one another in the eye. They reminisced, waxed philosophical, recounted family history, and shared dreams. Later, the radio replaced the hearth as the focal point of family activity in the evenings. Where once the family entertained itself, now the wireless did the entertaining. But people still sat facing one another, sharing reactions to what they heard. And when the program was over or the station went off the air, they turned off the radio and talked about what they'd heard. In the 1950s, television replaced radio and everything changed. This new medium required that people look at the screen instead of one another. The family circle became the family row with everyone lined up staring straight ahead, mesmerized by the incessant flicker."

See the complete article at Better Homes and Gardens. They also have a nice "Family" section.

Posted by Susan at 4/30/2003 02:22:59 PM | Link

 
That's the title of the May, 2003 Parent Magazine article that offers twenty ideas for parents. I am pleased that the lead suggestion comes from Barbara Carlson's and my book, "Putting Family First," about the importance of family rituals and traditions.

There is an interesting insert about the work of Ron Taffel, Ph.D., author of "Nurturing Good Children." Dr. Taffel interviewed 150 preschool through sixth-grade children and found that "the one wish expressed by nearly every child was that their parents spend more time with them." I can't imagine that children of previous generations would have unanimously expressed that wish. The article goes on to say that it's the small things that can help, matter, such as eating dinner together, doing chores together, and turning off the TV once a week.

Posted by Bill at 4/19/2003 09:19:13 PM | Link

 
Even Aunt Jemima recognizes and celebrates the importance of eating meals together. "A recent survey revealed that 61 percent of U.S. families make pancakes together at least once a week, and 48 percent say that pancakes are the easiest breakfast food for their kids to make."

In celebration of this exciting news, Aunt JemimaŽ is having a "Cooking With Your Kids Contest!" They say, "We want to inspire and honor families who love to enjoy pancake breakfasts together. We encourage parents to work with their kids to write a short essay of 50 words or less about how their family cooks breakfast together and what makes those mornings special. Families must also include their favorite, easy-to-prepare family pancake recipe."

Also, please share with us some of your breakfast rituals. Just click on the "comment" button at the end of this weblog post.

Posted by Susan at 4/11/2003 08:26:14 AM | Link

 
A new poll of 746 children, ages 9-14, gives important information about their perceptions of family time. Quoting from the report from the Center for the New American Dream, "Only 32% of kids say thay spend a lot of time with their parents. Why this lack of togetherness? The parents are often too busy working, say 23%, while 19% blame it on being overscheduled with homework and school activities."

Brittani, age 14, reports, "My coach says, 'Dedication.' My parents say, "Keep up the good work.' I say, 'I need a break'...time to curl up with a book, play with the little kids next door, go to the mall or watch a sunset."

Comments? Reactions?

Posted by Bill at 4/09/2003 09:23:21 AM | Link