“Weird” and Awesome Family Life Hacks

I had this idea of what mealtime should look like with everyone sitting nicely, no screens, deep conversation.

My husband wouldn’t even join us at the table so it was an uphill battle.

So…I decided to totally change things up. Found a coffee table big enough for the whole family to fit around comfortably & I moved meal time to the living room where my husband sits. I bought a subscription to minnow & we watch a 5 min family devotional video together while we eat.

Then we sit around the “table” & discuss what we watched. My husband even listens & joins in on the conversation now!

And instead of dreading mealtime the kids ask if it’s time for our Bible video yet. I’m taking that as a win!

-Amanda

One morning I avoided a tantrum and battle, allowing my son to go in slippers in winter to kindergarten.

I just gave in and everything went smooth (we drive to kindergarten, so it was nothing that could affect his health).

– Patricia

For bedtime with our three little ones, we decided to take turns. I do three days, he does three days, and we do Sunday’s together. It has definitely been a game changer.  

I have some nights off!

So if a friend asks me to go to a coffee shop some night, I say yes, I can be there at 7 on Tuesday or Thursday, because those are my nights off.   Even if I don’t go anywhere, I just lay on couch and read or do housework for a little and then have relaxation time before bed. 

If kids come and ask me a question, I just say go ask dad, it’s his night to decide.  

We both spend more time snuggling and don’t rush it much. So, they seem to come out of their room much less because they got the quality time. 

– Rochelle

If my kids get up from the table from eating, I’ll ask someone to pick up the plate for someone else.

I also try not to ask each kid to only clean up their own mess when we’re cleaning.

We all just get assignments and clean together. My kids are still young, so this has (so far) kept them from thinking they’re only responsible for their own things, and nothing else.

It also will hopefully encourage what we tell them all the time, which is that we all take care of each other. We rarely hear them talking about it not being fair, and if they bring it up or complain, my response is always the same – “This is how we take care of each other.” Fair doesn’t really matter then.

– Kirsten

I have a kid, now almost 8, who has never been a great sleeper.

Once we got into the toddler and preschool years, he was (finally) sleeping through the night but falling asleep was a perennial problem.

We tried all the things (dropping naps, good routines, exercise), but the truth is that what he really needs more than anything is… something to look forward to the next day.

It can be a big event or simple, like a special snack or a jaunt to the park after school.

I know some parents who won’t tell their little kids what is coming up because they get too excited and anxious and can’t sleep/wake early, but my son has trouble putting this day to rest if he feels like the next one might be a dud.

When he has something especially exciting the next day, he pretty much puts himself to bed happily and sleeps like a rock. 

– Ashleigh