Family Life: Connecting with More than the Internet

Years ago, an episode of Oprah featured an incredible wife and mother who was dying of cancer. This woman decided to videotape herself discussing a wide range of topics so that her daughter could have conversations with mom once she was gone. Leading up to her passing, this woman’s family did a number of wonderful activities to create happy times and memories. However, what touched so many viewers was that when the tween-age daughter was asked what her favorite memory was of her mom, she recounted one late night when the two of them simply went to the kitchen, ate cornflakes and hung out together.

Those minutes and moments of basic intimacy with our kids are priceless. Not only do they allow us to know and be known by our children, but they are the healthy building blocks of the lifelong relationships we’ll have with them over the years. Added bonus: the good feelings we enjoy in these moments send a surge of happy hormones throughout our bodies, boosting our health and immunity. There’s power in connection.

How do we create such times when it’s so natural to get caught up in the push and pull of daily life? It’s easy for parenting to devolve into a stressful whirlwind of commuting, drop offs, meeting the demands of work and school, paying the bills, extended family obligations, pulling meals together, fears that we’re not doing enough or too much, and obtaining and maintaining all of our stuff. Here are three suggestions.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Thomas K.

2:49PM PDT on Mar 29, 2010

wow. good post. thank you!

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Sherwin B.

12:33PM PDT on Mar 28, 2010

Memories are always nice to have. Especially when they excite the hormones. When I first read it I thought the kid was carrying a TV around with her to talk to her mother.
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Elaine D.

4:36PM PDT on Mar 22, 2010

they do grow up so quick and then they are gone, and that is sad, it doesn't seem like you have had them long enough..

Karen M.

7:10PM PDT on Mar 21, 2010

I always tell new parents DON'T BLINK...cause our children grow up so fast....and when we get it right...and you watch them as GROWN-UPS..it is a very Good thing.....I thank God for it was all him...i just came along for the ride....BLESS THE CHILDREN...

Pauline C.

2:26PM PDT on Mar 14, 2010

Thanks for your article. A great way to add character and value to your child's life is to particpate in community and family projects as a family unit.
Come visit my site and read about family project ideas and more!
http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/1411482
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http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/1402575
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Kaye S.

2:02PM PST on Mar 13, 2010

It's the best time of your life.

Donna B.

9:53PM PST on Mar 12, 2010

Great article.

Elizabeth V.

6:05PM PST on Mar 12, 2010

it takes so much effort to tear
yourself away . . but the rewards are amazing

1:42AM PST on Mar 12, 2010

These small things makes a lot of difference for the family's attachment for each member of the family and once this attachment is lost there are no scope of it to be regenerated, These small things matters a lot for the care.

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Kim O.

1:08PM PST on Mar 11, 2010

Yes this is good. I am one of those moms who is very open and talks to my children, but I slack on eatting as a family. Thanks for the ideas!