| Today we are faced with many problems that | | | | each of them and talk to them about their |
| are destroying family units everywhere. In a | | | | interest not yours. You may find that they |
| fast paced world we are always in a hurry to | | | | are far more important then the Super Bowl, |
| get to work to get to the beach, or to get | | | | or a day on the golf course. You may even |
| home before the kids go to sleep. We never | | | | earn their trust and loyalty. My oldest |
| seem to have enough time in one day to do all | | | | daughter told a friend on the phone once that |
| that needs to be done.There was a song | | | | it would hurt her parents too much to have |
| written in the 70's called "The Cats and The | | | | sex before she was married and for that |
| Cradle," and in this song the lyrics talk | | | | reason she has decided to wait. She has |
| about a man that was so involved outside the | | | | redirected her thinking only because she is |
| home that his own son never really spent | | | | receiving the companionship she needs at |
| quality time with him. The song goes on to | | | | home. Teenagers that are sexually active in |
| say that the son looked up to his dad and he | | | | many cases are that way because they are |
| was going to be just like him. As the son | | | | substituting parental attention for sexual |
| grew up and went to college the father wanted | | | | attention. If my folks won't pay attention to |
| to spend sometime with him when he got home, | | | | me the boy down the road will.This is just |
| but his son was to busy. As the song goes on | | | | one of the dangers of not spending more time |
| and his boy moved away he realized in the end | | | | with your family. How does it affect your |
| that his boy turned out to be just like him | | | | spouse? Is he or she content with the time |
| (never having time to spend with his family). | | | | you have? If not, do you want them to look |
| The moral to this story is that we may need | | | | elsewhere? Of course not, but it can happen. |
| to reprioritize our lives to put our families | | | | Many marriages end in divorce, because the |
| first.You may ask, "Where do I start?" One | | | | couples grow apart. They form their own lives |
| thing that seems to separate the family is | | | | without including the other. It is imperative |
| television. In this country we spend more | | | | that we take the time that we have today and |
| time watching others live their lives and | | | | spend it with your family, and make time |
| less time living our own. Why not turn the TV | | | | tomorrow. If we do we will begin to repair |
| off and play monopoly, yahtzee, or cards. I | | | | any damage that is already done, and grow |
| know these are not the greatest suggestions, | | | | closer to our families in the future.You may |
| but the key is to make the family stronger. | | | | ask, "How do we separate work from home?" |
| If you all have a common interest then do | | | | When you are at work and you know that you |
| that. I have 2 teenage girls and a 4-year-old | | | | are not going to finish before you leave. |
| son. My oldest daughter loves horses and she | | | | Plan to just leave it there. It will be there |
| enjoys riding and competing. My youngest | | | | tomorrow and so will the rest of it. Many |
| daughter likes to write songs, and sing. She | | | | employers don't staff their businesses |
| may not be the greatest singer in the world, | | | | correctly, because of those people who take |
| but she enjoys it. My son is into DVD's and | | | | their work home. If your load is too much |
| video games. All of them like to spend time | | | | tell your boss you need help. If your job is |
| with their parents. Up to a few years ago I | | | | worth keeping your boss will understand that |
| did not even know them like I thought I did. | | | | family comes first. Never let anything break |
| In fact, I think it is safe to say that I | | | | up your home. Families united are stronger |
| knew very little at all. I was always | | | | then divided. There is no mountain to high or |
| consumed in my work to the point that I | | | | river to wide for a strong family to tackle. |
| brought it home.The thing that hurt me the | | | | Do what ever you have to do to keep your |
| most was when our family Doctor asked me if | | | | family together, and never regret the |
| my son had all of his shots. I answered, "I | | | | decisions you make to strengthen your family. |
| don't know ask my wife." The look the Doctor | | | | It all pays off in the end.Don McKay is the |
| gave me was one of disappointment. She told | | | | owner of several free information websites |
| me that that was a common answer for a father | | | | and the sole proprietor of Java Jakes Gourmet |
| to give. Why? I should know the answer to | | | | Coffee Co. |
| such a question, because I am his father. The | | | | |
| answer to that is I am not interested in | | | | |
| that, so it is not important. This selfish | | | | |
| attitude had to change if I was going to have | | | | |
| a relationship with anyone in my house.The | | | | |
| advice a friend gave me has helped me to grow | | | | |
| with my family. He said to take 5 minutes a | | | | |
| day and talk to your kids, and not as a | | | | Visit these sites today and become informed. |
| group. Individually spend five minutes with | | | | |