Children on this side offer their wish for an even better life on your side: Take more time each day to be brief.  Isn’t that wonderful?  It makes so much sense from a child’s point of view!

If adults took more time to think out what they want to say, and then say it in just a few words, it would make their children’s hearts and minds feel less stressed and confused.  Then smile!  Leave them with the feeling that things are going to be okay.  They will appreciate it with enthusiasm. 

I’m sure your family knows best what works for them, but my family agreed that when I came home each evening it was nice how we sat quietly together for about a half hour before dinner to read.  After that, the dinner table was a very lively place for conversation and catching up!

The reason I think this is important is because we felt a closeness as a family that many others didn’t seem to share.  We liked each other’s company whether we were talking or not.  Simple as that!

Neither good nor bad days changed our evening ritual.  And to this day it’s satisfying to see the tradition lives on in my grandchildren’s homes, as well. 

If you were on my side and saw what I see, you’d see millions of people working harder and harder, getting less and less out of life.  Truly.

It used to be that a married couple could raise their kids on one income, live in a modest house, own a car, and take a couple weeks of vacation.  If they had extra, it went toward sending the kids to college or in a retirement account.  Now it seems huge houses and world travel have taken over as the norm of what’s expected.  No wonder so many people feel defeated before they barely get started.

Begin again with your family. Sit down together and explain that while you all might wish for the extravagances in life it’s not necessary toward living a great life.  Express your enthusiasm for living in balance with a simpler outlook and budget, with more time together as the outcome.  I know the kids will be happier.  The adults?  That’s up to them.  But I think if the kids are happier, they should be!