Episode 50 – Busy Families Can Still Be Connected, Here’s How

Welcome to the Mentor 4 Moms Podcast!

On this episode:

We live in this world that is super-fast-paced. And when we have busy families, how can we still stay connected? Because we’re busy, does that mean we have to be disconnected? Does that have to be our story? It’s a common story. But how can we be intentional and our lives and calendars still look full? My goal for you is not this empty calendar, saying “no” to all the things. It is for you to get super crystal clear on your core values for your family and have you live those core values out with authenticity, living each day out on purpose and with a purpose.

I feel like the first few episodes of this podcast laid a foundation of what it means to be intentional as we’ve set the context here. This is not the place where we’re trying to be the perfect moms with everything together and on top of all the things. It’s more like we’re real moms with a real purpose. And we want to have a simple tool to help us walk that purpose out. We end up creating this legacy of intentionality in our homes and in our families. One of our essential tools for that is our core values. These are one central place of connection. If you haven’t heard those earlier episodes, you can link to them below:

Following are some practical ideas for staying connected as a busy family once you have your core values in place.

Family Meetings. I cannot tell you how important this has become in our family. In almost every marketplace setting they have routine meetings: team meetings, board meetings, etc. This brings people together around a common goal. Possible topics for a family meeting: school updates, events, appointments, health updates, goals for individuals or family, any family problems, any illness or death in the family, prayer requests or life questions, etc.
Keep Your Calendars Synced. Part of our family meeting is, “what’s going on for you this week?” That is the time where we talk about any transportation issues. We talk about chores and schedules, my travel schedule, and all of that. It helps me to know when my people have a big test coming up and need some extra time to study. When do people have things we need to be celebrating and acknowledging?
Set blocks of times for everyone to have time alone. This is to prevent having so much packed into your calendar that people are a little more irritable and less patient. We need time for quiet. We’re better together and more connected when we’ve had these designated moments of quiet and alone time. This helps establish the habit for your kids, as well, to have that designated quiet time. There is real value in learning how to be alone and do that well.
Make the most of the moments you do have together. I turn the radio off when I’m in the car with my kids. I want to be available for whatever quick story they want to share or question they may have. I want to have the context set in the car that this is a place I’m ready to hear from you. Let’s be present with one another. We don’t have to constantly have something entertaining us and capturing our attention. We can just sit and be together and enjoy the quiet, or use this as a good time to share with one another. Another idea is to have a family book you’re reading together or audio book you’re listening together – something you are enjoying together.
Pray together. This is the ultimate connection. We are connecting to the Father and doing that together. You can pray in the morning before everybody leaves or in the evening before bed or some other time throughout the day. There is no one right way to do it. Pray with and for one another.
Play games together. There are so many great games. Our youngest is 9 yo and oldest is 23, so a game has to be engaging for everybody on every level. It has to be something everybody can play and pretty easy to get up and go. Any games we recommend will be pretty easy to play from oldest to youngest – even the grandparents. See our recommendations here.
Use my Intentional Parent Card Set. There are great questions in there for you to have heart-to-heart conversations with your kids. Whether you are in the car or at the dinner table or on family vacation, any of those times is a great time to grab a card, read a question, and have a heart to hear conversation with your kids. That is the truest form of connection and bonding that builds relationship with one another.
Leaving notes for one another is a way to stay connected. Just like a cute little post-it or a quick little something that just says, “Hey, I’m proud of you.” Or “Hey, I noticed you were struggling with this and I’m praying for you.” Or “You are on my mind.” Little notes that you could put on the bathroom mirror or their pillow, tuck in their back pack, etc., where you can let them know you’re thinking about them. This communicates how important they are to you.

I don’t want you to believe the lie that just because your family is busy that you have to be disconnected and not know each other or have meaningful conversations and feel bonded to one another. It can be a life that’s full and intentional and on purpose at the same time. It means getting crystal clear on what living true to your core values looks like at this season of your life and doing that with your whole heart

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