It’s been over a year since my family and I have switched to the work-from-home model. Though some people dislike it, I personally enjoy this new way of working. For one thing, it lets me focus on my work instead of having to rush to and from the office every day.
For another, it gives me more time to spend with my family. After all, we’re all together here at home instead of going off to school or the office every day, right?
Unfortunately, reality isn’t so simple.
You Can’t Grow Closer If You Stay In Your Rooms All Day
At this point, my family has a routine.
Every morning, we wake up, eat breakfast and head off immediately to our computers. Whether it’s for school or work, we all spend most of the day in front of the screen. By the time work is over, we all have a quick dinner together, then we either watch TV or just return to our rooms and play games till bedtime.
It’s nice to know that everyone is just a few steps away. But on the other hand, is it really ‘family time’ when everyone is just staying in our own rooms all day?
Spending Quality Time Together
When was the last time your family spent the day together? And I don’t mean ‘had a quick conversation over dinner’.
I’m talking about having an actual positive experience that everyone enjoys.
Ever since the first day of lockdowns, many of us have been “forced” to spend more time with our loved ones than ever before. But while this can be rather stressful, it also gives us a chance to strengthen our relationships.
If you’re interested in deepening your bonds with your loved ones, here’s a few activities that you can try out together:
Activity #1: Family Work Out
You know what they say: the family that sweats together, stays together!
The gyms may be opening up soon, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do any workouts at home. In fact, if you’re a parent, having a regular exercise session can be a good way to help your kids burn off some energy.
But even if you’re all grown up, there’s no reason why you can’t do an exercise routine together. Whether it’s Zumba, aerobics, yoga, or any other routine, there are plenty of options out there for you to chose from, so why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose… except for a few kilos!
Activity #2: Sharing Screen Time
Don’t you hate it when one person hogs the TV all day? Whether it’s your mom binge watching a Korean drama series or a sibling catching up to their favourite anime, it can be infuriating to walk into the living room only to realise that it’s already taken.
Instead of getting stressed out about it, plan your revenge by making them take part in family movie nights!
But no, seriously — a movie night is a great way to bring everyone together. One good idea is to have a themed movie night. For example, you could have a horror movie night where everyone chooses their favourite horror movies. Or a superhero movie night where everyone gets to choose their favourite superhero flick for the week.
If you have time, you can even prepare some popcorn and drinks to make it feel like a real cinema experience.
Activity #3: Game Nights
If you’re looking for something a bit more… involved than watching movies, then why not try a game night?
Nowadays there are lots of multiplayer games that you can all play together. From racing games to side scrolling fighters to more active games like Wii Sports — there’s something for everyone.
But even if you don’t have a Playstation or XBOX or whatever new fangled console came out this year, there are still plenty of board games available for you and your family to try out together.
In fact, you can even find some great board games that were actually made right here in Malaysia!
Activity #4: Treasure Hunting
The idea is simple: one person hides some presents somewhere in the house and everyone else will have to find it, guided only by a map leading to a series of clues.
It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially if you have kids. However, with a little creativity, even grown ups can have lots of fun playing detective and discovering the hidden treasure(s).
Just remember to write the answer down somewhere they can’t find. After all, the only thing worse than not finding the treasure is forgetting where you hid it in the first place!
Activity #5: Gardening
After spending all day sitting in front of the computer, doing a physical activity like gardening can be a great way to loosen up and get some fresh air.
If you’ve got enough space in your backyard, try setting up a little plot for everyone to plant their favourite flowers.
Even if you live in a smaller house or apartment, adding some green plants can be a good way to liven up the room and make everyone feel more relaxed. Best of all, you can even plant herbs like basil or oregano that can be added to your cooking!
Don’t Forget to Take Care Of Yourself Too
Family is important. But it’s important to take a break and enjoy some ‘me‘ time every once in a while.
Don’t think of it as being selfish. We’re all human after all — if you don’t take the time to care for yourself, then who will?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to self care, then be sure to check out:
