The Broken Model – Gettin’ Radical

Part 3 in a 3 Part Series

So, you have admitted that the model is broken, but now what? How do you develop an action plan to make a change? Let me suggest a list of tested and approved ideas that have worked wonders for building authenticity and connectedness in our family.

First, consider moving the television to a part of the house where it is not the centerpiece of your home and then set limits on television time. This is pretty radical for some families because our lives can revolve so much around the television, but it’s what we have done, and it has worked! Our television is in a small 8 x 10 sitting room just outside of our bedroom. We let our boys watch television at times when there are shows on TV that we support (very few programs), and when we watch movies together it encourages closeness. We usually end up wrestling, laughing, tickling, and having great interaction because we are in close spacial proximity to one another. Besides, for us, our large living room, where the TV used to be, has now become a place to wrestle, play with toys, play board games, and just hang out. This is perhaps one of the best practical decisions that has changed the way we interact as a family. Our focus used to revolve around the television. Now the focus is on each other (this may be more difficult to do if you have teens or a large family, but I think there are ways to still apply the same principles).

Consider having a game night each week. Turn the TV off, and get the board games out. You don’t have to play the same game for hours just so you can ‘finish the game’. Sometimes we will even play 2 or 3 games in one night. As soon as our boys are getting tired of one game, we bring out another. The main point is to connect and interact together as a family. If you don’t have any board games and don’t want to go and pay full price for a bunch of games at Wal-Mart or Target, go to a thrift store or check out ebay.

Go on a bike ride together as a family. Every family could use a little more exercise. We love to go on bike rides together because our boys love to race, laugh, and just enjoy being boys on their bikes.

Walk together. Now preschool kids don’t always like this one because they end up saying “Daddy, hold me” or “Daddy put me on your shoulders” but that’s OK. The point is, each time we go on a walk something always happens. The last time we did, we saw a snake. One time, we saw a turtle. But each time, we always find something to talk about that brings us closer as a family. Great teachable moments for D6 Families!

Our boys always love to go to the park and play. Many times it will be so hot, that we will only stay at the park for only 20 or 30 minutes. Sometimes we will go and be there for over an hour. The amount of time is not the most important thing, but connect with your children and looking for teachable moments is. What I love the most is to hear the boys say “Daddy, watch me!” They just love to show moms and dads the new things they can do.

It is difficult to find something to do as a family that makes you feel more wholesome than going on a picnic. Pack one yourself, or stop by and pick up some fried chicken. Either way, the kids will love it. If it is raining, spread a tablecloth on the floor in the living room and have a picnic inside. My wife does this in the winter, and the boys think it’s pretty cool!

Read together. This is perhaps one of the greatest things we have ever done as a family. We began at infancy with our boys. If you are looking for a way to expand their imaginations and challenge their minds, reading is the way to go. It is never too early or too late to start. We usually try to read 1 or 2 little books a night along with My Cuddle Time Bible Storybook or the Bible.

Many families talk about Family Devotions, but how do you make this happen? CLEAR Devotional Magazines are the perfect way to do this. Randall House has a devotional magazine for each life stage; infants and toddlers all the way through adults. I personally use CLEAR Living and my sons use My Cuddle Time Bible Story Book and Explorers Guide Level I. It has been the perfect way to connect or family to God and to each other.

$1 Nights at Family Favorite Restaurants is always a fun one for our family. In our town, nearly every night of the week, somewhere in our area is hosting a $1 Kids Meal night. Many times, on Tuesday’s we go to Chic-fil-A and the entire family can eat for under $9. Then we go to Baskin Robbins and get ice cream for $4 and some change. Dinner and a desert for the entire family for only $13! That’s hard to beat in Nashville! The kids think it is so much fun…and it is!

This is a pretty basic one, but sometimes I just have to remind myself to get on the floor and play with the boys. After work, sometimes I will mow the yard, or work on the car. Every now and then I just have to remind myself to drop everything and go and play with the boys. It is always worth it and I am always glad I did.

When you do watch television together as a family, remember just because it’s on television during prime-time/family time, that doesn’t mean it aligns with Christian thought. Analyze the shows you watch as a family. If they don’t support scripture, then trash them. The driving principle is that You are in control, not the television. If there is nothing on that supports what you want your children/family to view, then consider something like Netflix, Redbox, or the new Blockbuster video program where for just a few dollars a month you can choose your what movies or programs you would like to view together.

Let me challenge you to take a long hard look at the model you are following. Are you just going through the motions every day? Do you find yourself plopped on the couch at the end of the day in front of the TV as a family watching something you really don’t feel you should be watching just because you can’t think of any thing else to do? Maybe you are on the couch while your kids are all in their rooms and you feel disconnected as a family? Either way, if you desire to raise spiritual champions, I challenge you to do something different. Go counter to our culture and be a D6 Mom or a D6 Dad. It will be the best decision you ever make.