Family Home Evening

Every Monday night while the kids were growing up we tried our best to have a Family Home Evening.   The calendar, as much as possible, was kept free from outside activities on Monday nights.   We would eat dinner together as a family, and then gather together in the living room or the family room for our weekly family meeting. There would be a chance to discuss upcoming schedules and activities and any problems we might be facing. Each person who was old enough would rotate  turns being in charge of  leading a song, saying a  prayer, reading a favorite scripture,  giving a talk, sharing  a short lesson, sharing or displaying a talent, choosing a game or activity, or preparing a treat.  For many years we also spotlighted one member of the family each week, and every family member taking a turn telling something they loved or admired about the spotlighted individual.  Sometimes we would all go out together to a movie or a concert or another activity.  Some weeks we met up with extended family members for a picnic or other family outing or gathering.

Family nights were not always calm and peaceful and reverent.  (The above photo was obviously posed in a photo studio).  There were disagreements over whose turn it was to sit where, tired toddlers and babies, kids needing to finish homework assignments, children wandering off to do their own thing, "Mom, he's looking at me!", etc. etc.  And sometimes we were just too tired or unprepared to pull it off.  But hopefully we all learned a bit more about the gospel and each other and created a few happy memories.  Sometimes we would just sit and chat about  . . .  just whatever.  We always tried to end the night with a family prayer together and sometimes a group family hug.

One night many years ago we spent the evening creating a big banner out of felt fabric with pockets indicating the different activities, and each member of the family created a stick puppet of themselves using a large tongue depressor and felt and other craft supplies.   We would keep track of who was in charge of which activity by moving our stick puppets from pocket to pocket each week.  I'm not sure what happened to that banner . . . but here is a photo of our most recently used chart that was given to us and we started using after the DS1 and DS2 had already left home:

It still hangs on the refrigerator with a nice large magnet on the back, but  looks a little lonely without our daughter's hearts attached to the the velcro strips on the windows and doors, doesn't it?   Just like our house is a bit more lonely now when they leave after their visits.

Monday nights still find those here at home eating dinner together.  We may not have a full program of activities and games, but we still read a scripture and say a prayer together, and sometimes watch a movie or have another type of activity or discussion, and sometimes even a treat before we go to bed.  And we do have some joyful memories of evenings spent with our six kids.

What do you enjoy doing with your family?

When the family gets together after evening work is done,
Then we learn to know each other popping corn and having fun.
Then our father tells a story, mother leads us in a song,
And it seems that nothing in this world could possibly go wrong.

(The Family, words by Mabel Jones Gabbot)