THE FAMILY-A Human Necessity

Helping Your Family to Survive

One of the best ways a family can stay united is by spending  time together.  All members should willingly pool  their spare time.  That may mean sacrifices.   You teenagers, for example, may have to sacrifice some favorite TV program, sports event, or outing with friends.  You fathers, who usually are the major breadwinners, do  not use leisure time just for a hobby or other personal interests.  Plan activities with the family, perhaps how to spend weekends or vacations together.  Of course, plan something that everybody will look forward to and enjoy.

Children need more than so-called quality time, that is, a set half and hour or so with the children periodically.  They need quantity.  A columnist in a Swedish daily writes:  "During my 15 years as a reporter, I have met a great number of juvenile delinquents . . .A common denominator is that they seem to have been exposed to quality-time upbringing:  'My parents had no time.'  "They never listened."  "He was always traveling'. . . .As a parent, you can always choose how much time you will give your child.  Your choice is judged 15 years later by a ruthless 15-year old.

Next time: Proper View of Money

Watchtower, 1998