In my home we like to have fun. We like to play board games, card games, sports games-any kind of games-you name it we like to play it.
Reserving time for fun can be at the bottom of the to-do list for single parent families who are dealing with all of the daily decisions, problems, feeling emotional or financial stress, performing chores and maintaining the home and car. In addition, it is difficult when facing life’s trials to stop and laugh or play a game without thinking about whatever the problem of the hour is, but a lot of research has been done to date on the effects of laughter, play and living on the more positive side of things. Some of the benefits include feeling more motivated, alleviating stress and pain, and an improved sense of well being. All of this for free with no side effects.
Maintaining a positive attitude and enjoying life is not easy, believe me I know. I have what some people call a melancholy personality type, which means I have to really work at being happy even when nothing in particular is wrong. I am generally envious and a little annoyed with people who seem happy all the time and don’t let circumstances drag them down. There are real people out there who are genuinely joyful and not faking their way through happiness just to put on a show; I know I have met a few and admire them a lot. They inspire me.
Back to having fun with the family. Making play dates with my own children, as well as other families, or keeping weekly or even daily play times have been very helpful in ensuring that time is set aside to have fun. Yes, scheduled fun time, I think, is a necessity for today’s busy families. Many classes that used to be traditionally for just children now have mom and me classes on weekends or evenings that can be enjoyed together. Ask your children what they would like to do together and do it! I learned how to play chess, so that I could teach my kids how to play, and they love it and are much better at it than I am. Now we play “team” chess, where one of the children is on my team while I play the other one so that I will have a fighting chance…at least for the first three moves.
The main point is to lighten up your very stressful load as a single parent and enjoy your children. Take cues from them as far as what they like to play and choose what you want to play as well so that everyone has an enjoyable time.