Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family

Recently a lot has been revealed to me about the importance of family. In fact I would argue that a whole host of societal problems that are plaguing the country right now could be solved by focusing on the family. Nowadays ours lives are so busy and so full of things going on that often times the good old-fashioned family time is not even an after-thought, Its non-existent. I have always been a huge believer and proponent in the values of the family dynamic in a persons life. How many times do we need to observe the troubled kids from troubled families problem? My heart absolutely breaks for kids in these situations as well as the other family members involved. I really do 100% believe that there is nothing more important in a parents life then their children. I think the hierarchy of life should go God-(immediate)Family-Best Friends-Extended Family-Friends. I don’t think you have to look to hard to see the importance of this. I can’t tell you how many kids I came across working at summer camps for all those years and how you could tell which kids came from which type of family. I think there are many important things that should happen to develop a strong family. You can always make new friends, but you’re stuck with your family. Some of the many things that I (and Erin) have talked about and hold as extremely important to us. Obviously these are solely my opinions and im not saying I am 100% right its just what I believe.

Dinner. Dinners should ALWAYS be conducted TOGETHER void of all forms of media. No TV, no phones, no tablets, no NOTHING! Dinner should be held around a table and should be a time where the family can decompress TOGETHER and share life and share stories and experiences from the day. I come from an Italian family so it was nothing for our family dinners to last for hours. And some of the greatest times and conversations and laughs that I can remember from growing up were around the dinner table. I know this can be difficult with the crazy lives everyone has nowadays (which is another topic I wont even touch right now) but I think time should be made for family dinner. Part of the problem in today’s society is parents and kids don’t have the relationship I believe they should. People don’t talk, don’t ask questions, don’t express thoughts, dreams, interests enough with each other anymore. We are all so pre-occupied. Once you walk in the door from work or school or whatever… it should be family time. At least that’s how I feel.

Piggy-Backing off the Dinner situation – I feel like family nights are hugely important. This does not mean sitting around watching TV or movies all the time… but have fun, go outside, play a game, do a picnic, take a walk, experience life together…. But do it without your phones and devices and DISTRACTIONS. Nothing says “you really don’t care” better then being half engaged and constantly checking your phone or whatever.

Travel- First of all, I totally understand not everyone can financially afford to travel but I’m not necessarily talking about a yearly trip to slope-side Breckenridge or an all-inclusive Caribbean Vacation. This could be as simple as getting in the car and driving to a lake, a local farm or farmers market, beach day, museums, ANYTHING to get out of your comfort zone or get out of the house and the familiar environment to experience the world. Sometimes I don’t even think this requires leaving the house. “Travel” outside and rake the leaves with your kids. Wash the cars, make chores fun! Nothing is more fun as a kid then jumping in a huge pile of leaves with your parents and wrestling your dad to the ground and shoving leaves down his shirt. (until he gets you back exponentially worse the you got him)

Work – Work should- at all costs- stay at work. I know its impossible in todays world but I really feel like we should make every effort to make this a huge priority. I actually think this is the biggest problem in our society. We are 100% connected at all times and with the crappy economy most people have to stay on top of things for security. This is hard for some people… I know Erin either has to stay at work for 80hrs a week or bring home her papers and grade at home. My Dad works from home… so he virtually has no “hours” and it on the clock 24/7. Ask him… although it has its obvious advantages, there are twice as many disadvantages. When people feel like work takes precedence over them they will find something to take precedence over you. Downward spiral from there.

Now…. You might be thinking… what the heck is this blog all about? Your 26, been married for 2 years, and don’t even have kids!

Well… first of all I enjoy writing. A lot actually. But I don’t always enjoy writing directly about myself. I have a lot opinions and views on things and spend the better part of my life thinking about stuff. I am always thinking about ways that I can make the world a better place. How can I impact the world? How can I put a bug in someones head and maybe get them thinking about something they could potentially change and make life better for there and other people’s lives. Also, I think my background has a huge impact on how I view stuff like this. Being involved in both 4H and Triple R summer camps for so many summers, there were actually kids who I could tell reached out to me to be the father-figure that they don’t have. Or spend time, talk, listen, love them like they don’t get at home. I’ll never forgot the day I freaking lost it and totally broke down when I had a kid latch on to me and beg me to let him stay at camp with me for the whole summer. He DID NOT want to go back home. He did not want to go back to his FAMILY. I would be willing to bet there aren’t too many family dinners or outings for that kid.

I personally cannot freaking wait to be a Dad.