Parent Retreat - planning the year

Take time out at the beginning of this year to set some priorities and goals for your family. I can often get to the end of a year and wonder where all the time has gone. I ask myself did I really make the most of the opportunities? Planning doesn't mean you can't still be spontaneous, but it does remind us to include the important things in life first.

Here are some questions you might like to ask each other:

1. What is one thing that we have done well this year, in terms of building faith in our family?
2. What is working well with our family? 
3. When are the best times for us as a family and what are we doing at these times?
4. What one thing could we do this year that would increase the faith-talk in our family?
5. When would we include this time into our schedules? (breakfast, dinner, before bed...)
6. If we aren't praying a blessing over our children now, why aren't we and how could we change this?

Here are some ideas that might help you to set priorities and decide what works for you as a family. Don't decide to do them all. Choose things that you know are manageable and fit with your family. Choose one thing that might be a challenge.

1. When you watch a family movie together, start it early enough that you can have some discussion time after. As you watch the movie, pick up any themes or virtues that you could discuss with your children afterwards. Make it fun.
2. Decide on a charity that your family would like to give to. Collect items that they need and take them to the charity, as a family. Ask to be shown around or talk to someone at the charity who can explain to you all what happens there.
3. Start having a weekly Bible study/faith talk time with your children. You could use the faith box from Parents Inc, or some other resource. Make it fun. Include games and activities that your children will enjoy. Starting this is always awkward and difficult, but stick to it! Your older children might rebel the first couple of times, but they will begin to join in when they see how much fun you are having.
4. Read a few verses of the Bible together at the beginning of a meal each day. Ask what God may be saying through these verses.
5. Pray with your children each day when they climb into bed. Have a short discussion about how the day went and anything that is on their mind.
6. Pick up a family devotional book that you could read together. Make sure you keep devotionals light hearted and enjoyable so your children remain interested.
7. Let your children see you praying together as a couple.

These are only a few of many ways we can bring faith talks into our family. What will you do this year?

May God bless you as you do.