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Steps for Creating a Happy Family

November 22, 2020 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on creating a happy family. Parenting can be an uphill task at times. Everybody seems to be consumed by technology, specifically social media. Sadly, they fail to find time for their loved ones. Additionally, many adults and children are more depressed than ever. However, you can still create a happy family in the modern world using these simple tips.

Creating a Happy Family:

Live, laugh, love

The best way to create a happy family is to find ways to reconnect with each other. Unfortunately, we forget to share love with people we call family. We don’t have fun times together. But, there’s a remedy. For example, take a family vacation to enjoy. It is essential to create memories, share some family history and have a good time with each other.

Communicate

Communication is very crucial during both good and challenging times. Many people, especially children, find it hard to express their feelings. Show your children that you are willing to listen. It will impact their happiness tremendously. Additionally, good communication will help family members see value in the family unit.

Try to understand each other

In any family, mutual understanding is a key component of happiness. Children are likely to learn from adults. Be an example. If your children see that you are positive and happy, they will take cues from you. As a result, your family will grow, practice positivity, good behavior, and spread happiness wherever they go.

Contribute to the community together

Teamwork is essential if you are trying to reconnect and create a happy family. Consider sharing Bible study resources and volunteering for community work as a family. These two steps will reinforce family solidarity.

Pray as a family

As far as the vital doctrines of religion go, the family is often the highest unit. Participating in family prayer solidifies that your faith in important. Also, remember to pray for each other’s happiness and fulfillment of their needs.

Forgive each other

Everyone makes mistakes in life. Some of this can create some rifts in the family. However, you should never let mistakes break the family unit. First, try to acknowledge that mistakes happen and forgive each other. If the mistake happens over and over again, try to get help from a counselor. Building confidence and trust between family members and forgiving small faults has a significant impact on family happiness. Teach your children about forgiveness and other important traits. Your children will learn valuable life lessons and will love and respect your generosity. Most importantly, they will carry that foundation into adulthood.

Develop family traditions

Family traditions are among the things that keep you united and happy as a family. Traditions should not be reserved for holidays only. Instead, create daily or weekly habits such as family dinners or dining out.

So, you can make Saturdays your family game night. Creating family traditions helps to connect you with your family and makes everyone happy.

Final thoughts

Staying positive is the best way to stay happy. When it comes to a family setting, making everyone happy depends on how you connect with each other. Make sure that your children understand essential life and family values. And, give your children a religious foundation. It will help reconnect them with God and other people as well.

Filed Under: Family Time Tagged With: faith suggestions, family activities, family fun, family happiness

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Xtreme Circus Review

April 7, 2016 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Elephants, Tigers, Acrobats, and Bikers performed at the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Xtreme Circus at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. It was an evening spent eating junk food, watching clowns, jugglers and other entertainers perform before the big show. Than we would sit in awe of the Ring Master and all the other performers for the Greatest Show On Earth.

First, we ate dinner at the Green Turtle prior to the show. Nothing fancy, the adults had wings and the kids pizza and fries. From there we entered the venue for the preshow activities. They had jugglers, clowns, and an area set up where the children could try on various costumes. After 15 – 20 minutes we moved to our seats. We had great seats about 10 rows from the floor. We were high enough where those standing didn’t really affect our view of the show, but low enough where we had an incredible view of the ring.

Take plenty of money because outside snacks and drinks are not allowed. Security will search you and your bags at all entrances. I slipped money into my pockets and carried my camera. I just left my purse in the trunk. However, it’s nothing unusual. I actually don’t know many places that allow outside food in their venues.

Inside the Big Top, they are sold before the show and during intermission. Outside the Big Top they are sold until everyone vacates the premises. The kids wanted cotton candy before the show started. Count it, $14.00 per bag. It does come with an adorable circus hat that can be kept as a souvenir. I also saw bags being sold without the hat at the concession stands outside the arena. Lemonade is $12.00 per drink. They also offered Italian Ice in adorable elephants cups for $14.00 – $15.00 depending on the size.

Our show started at 7:30 p.m. It lasted approximately 3 hours. It was about 2 1/2 hours for the actual show and about 30 minutes for an intermission. We enjoyed all aspects of the show. Personally, I could have done without the clowns, but what’s a circus without clowns. I was a little afraid that the 4 year old would become bored, but that didn’t happen.

The performers were able to engage the audience through music and/or their acts. There were plenty of Oohs and Awes. The audience clapped along with the Ringmaster and the band was quite good. I even participated in the clapping and the Awes. The lions were beautiful, but there were no flaming hoops to jump through. I did enjoy the Mermaids. I’m fascinated by Mermaids and my granddaughter’s favorite princess is Ariel.

The elephants have been a part of the show for 145 years. Sadly, they will no longer be a part of the show after May 2016. Fortunately, the elephants will retire to a conservation center in Florida. The company hasn’t said how it will rebrand their shows once the stars, the elephants, retire.

The tightrope walkers and bikers were amazing. I loved the camels. It was an amazing 3 hours. Most importantly, it was nice to converse with my 8 year old grandson about the acts. We ended the evening with the kids having their faces painted. Count it, $14.00 each. Additionally, another $30.00 to park in the Verizon Center garage. But the evening was so worth it. Finally, I’m happy that I would create an evening that the children will always remember.

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: circus, family activities, family fun

22 Places Kids Eat Free

December 3, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on places kids eat free. Need a break from the stresses of the day? While the kids are eating for free, you can relax and possibly have a cocktail or a nice dessert. Furthermore, we all need to take time to unwind and just relax outside of the house. So, lets check the places that help families have a night out that won’t break the bank:

Applebees – First, kids eat free Monday and Tuesday nights at participating locations. Be sure to signup for
their Email club for a free entree for your birthday. Other nights kids eat for $1.00.
Au Bon Pain – Free birthday lunch. Sign up for their eClub.
Backyard Burger – Kids eat free on Tuesday. Sign up for their eClub for additional deals.
Bennigan’s – Kids 12 and under eat free on Tuesdays after 4 pm with paying adult.
Bob Evans – Kids eat free after 4 pm with paying adult.
Buffalo Wild Wings – Get a order of snack wings or dessert for your birthday when you join the Buffalo Circle. Captain D’s – Join the Kid’s Club and get a special birthday greeting and a free meal. Ages 12 and under only. Kids 12 and under can eat from the kids menu for just 99 cents on other days.
Chick-fil-A – Next, kids eat free between 5:30-7:30 pm. One child per adult.
Cici’s – Kids eat free every day with paying adult.
Denny’s – Free Grand Slam on your birthday. Valid ID must be presented.
Firehouse Subs – Free sub on your birthday. Valid ID must be presented. All kiddos eat free when an adult combo meal is purchased on other days.
Friendly’s – Free sundae on your birthday when you join the BFF Club.
Golden Corral – Kids 3 and under eat free.
IHOP – Kids under 12 eat free everyday between 4 pm – 8 pm accompanied by paying adults/parents.
Johnny Rocket’s – Additionally, kids can get a free hamburger on your birthday. Join the eClub for additional deals.
Lonestar Steak House – For each paying adult, 2 kids get to chow down for free all day long and they’ll happily feed 2 kids per adult.
Marie Callender’s – One child eats free with each adult entree purchased.
Perkins – Get a free meal for children 12 and under with each adult entrée on Wednesdays from 4 – 9 p.m.
Pizza Hut – Kid eat free Tuesday evenings.
Red Robin – Furthermore, kids can enjoy a free burger for their birthday when you sign up for their eClub. Kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult on other days.
Shoney’s – Kids 4 years and under eat free with adult entrée.
Tony Roma – Kids 11 and under can eat ribs free.
TGIF – Kids eat free on Mondays or Tuesdays. Call your local TGIF for the day in your area.

So, I recommend that you call ahead to ensure that the establishment will be able to accommodate you and your children. Be sure to ask what days and times they offer free meals and what ages are included. Take advantage of the freebies on family night, birthdays and anniversaries. Finally, we hope that you will take advantage of places kids eat free, and have a great family night out. You deserve it.