Faith Developments
Faith development news and views from around the district, featuring weekly newsletter columns by Prairie Star religious educators.Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Putting Family First
by Andrea Heier
Putting Family First has now upped the ante! Instead of dedicating one night, March 7th, to family time, that day is now the kick-off to 21 days of intentional focus on what is good for the family*. Called the Putting Family First Challenge, the goal for each family is to daily spend 21 minutes of family table time (meal time, games, vacation planning, etc.) and go to bed on time for 21 consecutive days. Now that is a challenge!
What is Putting Family First (PFF) and why should we as UUs care? The mission of this grassroots, community-wide organization is to raise awareness about finding balance in our over-scheduled lives. Whether you are a family of one or twenty, whether your family resides with you or consists of a circle of close friends and mentors, you can likely relate to feeling constantly “busy’ – so busy that you are neglecting important values and connections in your life. Unfortunately this often includes lack of development of the spiritual connection and values that ground us, in addition to neglect of the community of support for it. PFF advocates that this balance has become gravely out of whack for all social classes, and resolving this requires a public, grass roots movement generated and sustained by families themselves.
The Putting Family First Challenge is based on the conclusions of behavioral scientists and other experts:
And what are the rewards? Beyond a stronger, connected, healthier, happier family, there are also prizes including getalways, dinners and other surprises! So do pick up a calendar and try this challenge, so aptly named! It will open your eyes and warm your soul!
Andrea Heier is the Religious Education Director of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka in Wayzata, Minnesota.
Putting Family First has now upped the ante! Instead of dedicating one night, March 7th, to family time, that day is now the kick-off to 21 days of intentional focus on what is good for the family*. Called the Putting Family First Challenge, the goal for each family is to daily spend 21 minutes of family table time (meal time, games, vacation planning, etc.) and go to bed on time for 21 consecutive days. Now that is a challenge!
What is Putting Family First (PFF) and why should we as UUs care? The mission of this grassroots, community-wide organization is to raise awareness about finding balance in our over-scheduled lives. Whether you are a family of one or twenty, whether your family resides with you or consists of a circle of close friends and mentors, you can likely relate to feeling constantly “busy’ – so busy that you are neglecting important values and connections in your life. Unfortunately this often includes lack of development of the spiritual connection and values that ground us, in addition to neglect of the community of support for it. PFF advocates that this balance has become gravely out of whack for all social classes, and resolving this requires a public, grass roots movement generated and sustained by families themselves.
The Putting Family First Challenge is based on the conclusions of behavioral scientists and other experts:
it takes three weeks to establish a routineHowever you define your family make-up I encourage you to try elements of this challenge. You can obtain full-size copies of the calendar in the RE hallway.
getting enough sleep and sharing time together each day builds healthy and resilient families
close family relationships build the very foundation of healthy child development.
And what are the rewards? Beyond a stronger, connected, healthier, happier family, there are also prizes including getalways, dinners and other surprises! So do pick up a calendar and try this challenge, so aptly named! It will open your eyes and warm your soul!
Andrea Heier is the Religious Education Director of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka in Wayzata, Minnesota.
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