Second only to God is my relationship with my family. And close friends. Close friends are the kind that you call in the middle of the day “just because” and the kind you email when you need prayer.
So, how do you make sure you spend enough time with your family, siblings, and friends?
Say Yes… more than you say no
When you brother asks you to read to him, say yes. When your siblings want you to watch their play (although it lacks in plot development), say yes.
Don’ t let your yes’s rule your life, but remember that yes’s are the stuff memories are made of.
Look for Group Activites
This is especially good if you have 7 siblings (like me!). Look for ways that EVERYONE can be involved. For instance, we play tag football, not tackle, because then the girls and the little ones can play. We change some of the rules in Ultimate Frisbee so that Jamie and Sarah want to play. We take a friend out to the mailbox, and we never walk down the road alone.
Put our friends in perspective
Don’t let your friendships outside the family interrupt life in the family. I’m blessed in that my closest friends all know and love my family. They understand when I say, “I need to go and watch a family movie” or “dinner’s on the table, and I need to be there”. They know I’m not making excuses, they understand because that’s how their family is. Maybe that’s why we’re close friends. 🙂
Schedule Family Time
Put time you are committed to your family on your daily calendar. This eliminates any chance of their time getting swapped for something else. If you won’t be available one day at that time, clear it with your mom. Remember that one day when you are married, and then a parent, you can’t leave the house or get on the phone at the drop of the hat. An important business call every now and then is one thing. Constantly making your family feel second to your work and other friends is another.
Email and Call on Your own time.
Don’t email or call a friend when you should be working or studying. Write down what you need to tell them and wait for the time to be free. I started doing that and it has really helped. It also helps me makes sure that what I say, is what I REALLY wanted to say. 🙂 This really helpful because 95% of the emails I send are business or work related emails. Diplomacy is what counts.
Those are just a few ideas. Do you have some for how to focus on your family and friends?