I am participating in this campaign as a member of The Niche Parent Network & Conference in partnership with Mrs. Fields. All opinions are my own.
If there is anything I look forward to every single week, it’s our family time. Typically, we will get together right after my husband gets home from work, make and make a game plan for dinner, and whether we’re going to watch a movie, play a game, and sometimes we end up just talking about things that have happened during the week and before we know it the kids need to get in bed. There are so many reasons family time is important and nonnegotiable, but my favorite part of spending time together as a family is the memories we are building together.
Reasons Family Time Is Important and Nonnegotiable
Studies show that quality time with your family is extremely important, for several reasons:
- Bonding – Obviously, the more quality time you spend with your family, the closer you’ll be. Which is great for the kids, because they’ll know they can come to you, trust in you, and rely on you when they need something. I’m sure you have heard it before, “the reason so many people join gangs is because they want to be part of a family.” Kids need to know you’re there for them. Spending quality time together shows not just your children, but also your partner they are important to you.
- Showing You Care – Everyone needs to know they’re important, and cared about. By taking time out of your crazy week for special time together as a family shows how much you care. It’s important for all of us to feel loved, and know we’re loved.
- Happiness – Taking the time out of your busy schedule to spend time with, and talk to your family brings me happiness. I love listening to them about their day, helping them with problems, and look forward to them. On our weekly family night, you can tell everyone is excited and happy. Everyone has a little extra energy, starts acting goofy, and the kids defiantly have more energy than any other night, lol. You can definitely feel the difference in the air than on a typical evening.
- Importance of family – It’s important children see that spending time together matters as much as it does, not only will it make them happier as a child, but it’s something they will likely carry with them and remember when they have a family of their own.
- Stress – What’s better than family time after a long stressful day? It’s a great time to let go of your stressful day, and enjoy great conversations, smiles, and laughs.
- Teach skills – Family time can be anything you do together. It doesn’t need to be scheduled, but having something scheduled helps make sure it happens – especially because so many of us are already busy. You can cook dinner together, and teach your kids how to cook, help with something, or even go do something together.
- Something to look forward to – It gives everyone something to look forward to. My younger children watch Catie (my teen) go and do all the time, while they stay home because they’re not old enough to run around with friends. They look forward to family night. I remind them in the morning while they are getting ready for school, and as soon as they walk in the door they are asking what time their father will be home.
- Have a tradition – Traditions don’t have to be huge events, they just need to be special moments we enjoy together as a family, creating memories that will last forever. Possibly a tradition your children will carry on when they have children.
- Stronger family – Spending quality time together as a family, helps everyone see the importance of family, and makes the bond stronger.
- Help keep kids away from drugs and alcohol – There was a study from the national Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reported by WebMD, which found that teens who ate dinner with their family regularly were twice as likely to stay away from drugs and alcohol. I know we’re not talking about dinner, but I think it’s a good example of how important QUALITY family time is to our children, even as they turn into teens. Kids want to feel loved, accepted, and like they belong.
- Family comes first – You hear everyone say it, and I’m sure when it comes down to it you’re there for your family, but putting life on hold for the little things like family night matter too. Plus, you’re keeping up with your commitment that family comes first, and showing your children they are number one in your life.
Whether it’s a trip to the park, the zoo, or a movie night at home, quality time is important for parents and children. We have a close family, and nobody would ever guess I was not the one to give birth to my three older children, because of how close we are, how much we love one another, and how committed we are to one another.
Things were not always this way, it’s wasn’t until my husband and I started doing things as a family, that we became a family, and it was easier than I thought. I was worried, because I just had my youngest daughter, and didn’t want the other children to feel like I didn’t love them as much as I love her. It wasn’t hard, the kids were all about spending time with mom and dad, and by us taking time to talk with our children daily, be there when they need us, go out of our way anytime our children need us, and committing to a weekly family night we became more than just a family, we’re an amazingly tight family.
I count my blessings every single day, because I’m able to set time aside for my family every week. Having family in the military and growing up around I think it’s fabulous that Mrs. Fields is a proud supporter of United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO).
Mrs. Fields is having an awesome contest, to help encourage real families nationwide to designate time each week to enjoy a cookie together, and share the amazing “Mrs. Fields Moments” online. The contest is part of Mrs. Fields partnership with the United Service Organizations, Inc is also about stepping up, and putting their money where their mouth is, and honoring the deployed troops who miss these special moments while they’re away.
Are you familiar with the United Service Organizations, Inc.? If not, let e tell you a few of the magical things that happen because of the United Service Organizations, LLC.
- Transitioning Troops – The United Service Organizations helps the troops as they return from their service and transition.
- Deployed Troops – The United Service Organizations delivers the troops comfort, entertainment, a connection to loved ones back home, and relations.
- Military Families – Help provide troops with a peace of mind by being dedicated to the
- welfare and happiness of their loved ones.
- Wounded, Ill and Injured – The United Service Organizations is dedicated to helping with the rehabilitation and reintegration of the troops as they and their families work on the road to recovery.
- Families of the Fallen – With their partnership with Tragedy Assistance Program, their amazing network of volunteers, and staff the Survivors United Service Organizations can help guide families during these difficult times.
As you can see the United Service Organizations goes beyond for our troops, and I’m excited Mrs. Fields has kicked off the Mrs. Fields Moments to help inspire busy cookies loves to take a little time to enjoy a cookie moment with their family. Mrs. Fields is donating 35,000 cookies for the United Service Organizations to use in USO2GO kits. The kids are provided to troops who are stationed in remote and restricted locations. The United Service Organizations has shipped over 1,250 USO2Go kits since 2008, to troops in places like Afghanistan, Jordan, Djibouti, and Egypt.
Next time you buy Mrs. Fields cookies remember, you’re not just buying a GREAT cookie, but a GREAT cookie that is helping to create amazing moments for our troops on deployments – a cookie moment for you, and a cookie moment for the troops and their families.
About The Mrs. Fields Moments Contest
I’m sure you already want to know the details, the grand prize is AWESOME right! To think, all you have to do is spend quality time with your family. WOW, if that isn’t easy, and rewarding, but thanks to Mrs. Fields you just might win an awesome prize.
Grand Prize Details:
One super lucky family will win: round-trip airfare for (4) four to Washington D.C., two-night accommodations in the downtown National Harbor, gift certificates for dining in downtown National Harbor, four (4) tickets to ride The Capital Wheel.
How To Enter the Mrs. Fields Moment Contest:
Take a fun family selfie of your special Mrs. Fields Moments! Smile, because you’ll need to share the photo on the Mrs. Fields Facebook page, Twitter feed, or Instagram page using the hashtag #MrsFieldsMoments.
To learn more about the fabulous giveaway or any information about their relationship with United Service Organization, Inc. visit MrsFieldsMoments.com.
