Reclaiming Family Time

What happens when our lives spin out of control because we are so busy and overcommitted? The negative consequences of such a lifestyle are well known, but few of us are able to put on the brakes so that we can truly enjoy the gift of one another. Tim and Sue Muldoon take both a meditative and practical approach to this issue. They help us experience the peace that only God can give, and they also share what has and hasn't worked in their own family. While there is no magic bullet, the Muldoons show us that when we put God first in our lives, our other priorities fall into line as well. That makes it possible to discern the best ways to spend our time, both individually and collectively, to build a strong foundation of lasting family relationships.

What happens when our lives spin out of control because we are so busy and overcommitted? The negative consequences of such a lifestyle are well known, but few of us are able to put on the brakes so that we can truly enjoy the gift of one another. Tim and Sue Muldoon take both a meditative and practical approach to this issue. They help us experience the peace that only God can give, and they also share what has and hasnt worked in their own family. While there is no magic bullet, the Muldoons show us that when we put God first in our lives, our other priorities fall into line as well. That makes it possible to discern the best ways to spend our time, both individually and collectively, to build a strong foundation of lasting family relationships.

A roadmap to integrating board gaming into family life, filled with inspiring ways to engage even the trickiest of teenagers and manage game nights with flair. In The Board Game Family: Reclaim your children from the screen, Ellie Dix offers a roadmap to integrating board gaming into family life and presents inspiring ways to engage even the trickiest of teenagers and manage game nights with flair. Many parents feel as if they are competing with screens for their children's attention. As their kids get older, they become more distant leading parents to worry about the quality of the already limited time they share. They yearn for tech-free time in which to reconnect, but don't know how to shift the balance. In The Board Game Family, teacher and educationalist Ellie Dix aims to help fellow parents by inviting them and their families into the unplugged and irresistible world of board games. The benefits of board gaming are far-reaching: playing games develops interpersonal skills, boosts confidence, improves memory formation and cognitive ability, and refines problem-solving and decision-making skills. With these rewards in mind, Ellie shares a wealth of top tips and stealthy strategies that parents can draw upon to unleash the potential of those dusty game boxes at the back of the cupboard and become teachers of outstanding gamesmanship equipped to navigate the unfolding drama of competition, thwart the common causes of arguments and bind together a happier, more socially cohesive family unit. The book contains useful tips on the practicalities of getting started and offers valuable guidance on how parents can build a consensus with their children around establishing a set of house rules that ensure fair play. Ellie also eloquently explains the 'metagame' and the key elements of gamification (the application of game-playing principles to everyday life), and describes how a healthy culture of competition and good gamesmanship can strengthen relationships. Furthermore, Ellie draws upon her vast knowledge to talk readers through the different types of board games available for example, time-bound or narrative-based games so that they can identify those that they feel would best suit their family's tastes. The book complements these insights with a comprehensive appendix of 100+ game descriptions, where each entry includes a brief overview of the game and provides key information about game length, player count and its mechanics. Ideal for all parents of 8 to 18-year-olds who want to breathe new life into their family time.

Tim and Sue Muldoon bring a wealth of experience as parents, spiritual guides, and religious educators to a practical book for parents that offers six sacred rules for integrating faith formation into everyday family life. This basic guide to family spirituality not only provides parents with the practical tools they need but also offers the refreshing perspective that faith is not about adding to our to-do lists. Rather, it means doing what we already do with a new attentiveness. Drawing from the treasury of Ignatian spirituality and the breadth of Catholic tradition, the Muldoons present six sacred rules that encourage, stretch, and revitalize family faith—helping parents give their children basic lessons in learning to pray, deepening love, widening faith, and cultivating a spiritual vision of life.

The founders of a lauded family advocacy organization present a guide for reclaiming family life, even in the most hectic households. In the past twenty years, children's free time has declined by twelve hours a week, time spent on structured sports activities has doubled, family dinners are down by a third, and the number of families taking vacations together has decreased by 28 percent. When William J. Doherty and Barbara Z. Carlson observed this trend in their own families and community, they took action and founded Family Life First, an organization committed to helping parents reclaim family time. Doherty and Carlson offer realistic ways to regain valuable family connections and embark on more balanced, meaningful relationships at home. Drawing on their years of hands-on experience, they share tips for time-crunched parents on how to: --get everyone to sit down for family meals --make bedtime a meaningful end to the day --plan family outings and vacations --make time for your marriage More than just a time-management manual, this book delves into the issues that lie at the heart of all family-related choices, revealing innovative ways to address scheduling conflicts, competitiveness, and the many other situations that cause daily angst. Offering a new perspective on a fraying institution, Putting Family First restores a sense of fulfillment, fun, and security to the family once again.

"Reclaiming Home" is for the modern parent who is tired of living life on empty. Pushing back against the distractions, disconnection, and short cuts that hijack strong families, this book offers practical, life-giving solutions that any parent can implement. While we often hear about the negative effects of culture on our families, we are rarely offered the tools needed to build our family differently. "Reclaiming Home" is a parent’s guidebook, providing the HOW behind implementing desired family values and identity. Packed with real-life ideas and inspiration for home, marriage, and children, this book will be an essential companion as you build meaningful family relationships and a family identity that will last for generations.

Practical family ministry for both the churched and the unchurched are the foundation of this book. African-American churches can help prevent dropouts from society and restore those who have dropped out. They can help strengthen single-parent homes and prevent divorce--but it needs the kind of vision and strategies Richardson describes.