Family Event Night

April 1, 2012 by

This month’s eFit for Life challenge relates to family bonding.  One suggestion I usually have for families who bring their children in for therapy is to schedule a weekly family event or activity night.  Most families are able to find one evening each week that can be designated as family night…for some families a weeknight is easier, others choose a weekend evening.  The event for the evening can be selected in various ways…family members can rotate who selects the activity for the evening, or they select the event from a family event jar containing ideas in which all family members have contributed slips of paper with event ideas.  Events can include playing a board game, going to the park, dinner out, bowling, watching a movie, going for a walk, playing charades.  They do not have to cost money, and it may be helpful to have another jar for more costly events for special occasions or rewards.

One of the number one responses children give when asked what they wish they could change in their families, is to have more time together.  It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day rush and mundane routine, that we can lose sight of the important simple things in life.  We encourage you to be mindful of every single moment…we all have tough days and children will require appropriate parental discipline, but a child’s bond with his or her parents (whether the parents are together or separate) is one of most influential factors in his or her lifestyle, decisions, and happiness through adolescence and adulthood.  Designated family event nights teach children that the family is important, improve communication, and build family bonds, as well as improve basic life skills, including sharing, respect, and cooperation.

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Filed Under: Child/Teen Health, Mindful Parents
About Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW, RPT-S

Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. She also supervises clinical social work interns pursuing licensure. She has worked as a psychotherapist for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Her experience includes foster care, adoption, youth shelter, youth related research, school-based counseling, and sexual assault crisis center settings prior to private practice. She specializes in counseling children, families, and adults struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment to life transitions. Kimberly is a current Board member of the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida and former Vice-President of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and EMDR International Association.

Kimberly is founder of Monarch Wellness (originally Monarch Therapy), an integrative center focused on empowering individuals and families through emotional and behavioral metamorphosis. In addition to counseling and play therapy, the center offers other supportive modalities to further enhance emotional healing and stress management including support groups, yoga, laughter yoga, breathwork, integrative relaxation, and sound therapy. Monarch Wellness' sister site eFitFamily.com offers health related information and inspiration for everyday families to live healthier every day. The center is also involved with House of Gaia community center and other community and service focused organizations. More information about Kimberly and her practice can be found online: www.MonarchWellness.net.

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