{"id":1731,"date":"2011-03-30T17:33:35","date_gmt":"2011-03-30T22:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parentingzoo.com\/members\/?p=1731"},"modified":"2011-03-30T17:58:55","modified_gmt":"2011-03-30T22:58:55","slug":"how-do-we-keep-our-family-happy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parentingzoo.com\/members\/?p=1731","title":{"rendered":"How Do We Keep Our Family Happy?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Family<\/a>
Image by Vimages via Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

How do we keep our family happy?<\/p>\n

I actually find the title of this blog post funny.\u00a0 I\u2019m not quite sure why but I do.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know that I\u2019d be writing this post but consider it a challenge (and a chance to earn a gift card from Target<\/a> – and I need stuff from there!)<\/p>\n

Ok, so before we start with the hows, I think it\u2019s important to actually determine IF our family is happy.\u00a0 And thankfully I can report that, yes, for the most part, we are. I\u2019d be lying if I said we\u2019re ALWAYS happy and that we never fuss with each other or have a grumpy, blechy day.\u00a0 Because we do. All of us. Even the cat (she does more often than most of us) has her moments.<\/p>\n

So how?\u00a0 That\u2019s not really difficult to figure out I guess.\u00a0 In some ways we\u2019ve chosen to be happy because we\u2019re confident in the One who is in charge of our lives.\u00a0 As bible believing Christians our joy makes us happy.\u00a0 Each one of us knows to the depth of our core that God is in full control and orchestrates our lives.\u00a0 And He does so to His own glory – so no matter what, it\u2019s good.\u00a0 Very good.\u00a0 How can one not be happy with that type of confidence?<\/p>\n

But in addition to that as the base, we\u2019ve taken some steps in our family life to make sure that we\u2019re connected.\u00a0 We spend a lot of time together. We talk to each other. We sing together.\u00a0 We read together.\u00a0 We eat our meals together as much as possible.\u00a0 I think that last one, eating meals together, would transform the happiness level in a lot of families if they\u2019d make it a priority.<\/p>\n

Notice one work that\u2019s in all of those – together.\u00a0 Although we have our \u201calone\u201d times and things that we prefer to do that maybe other family members don\u2019t, for the most part, we try to involve ourselves in each others\u2019 activities – for support and just plain fun.\u00a0 It works.\u00a0 We\u2019re happy.\u00a0 And we really do like each other.<\/p>\n

I suppose some other things that help us to stay happy are that we eat sensibly (not denying ourselves of any and everything in the name of health, but prioritizing healthy eating as much as possible), we rest sensibly (we try not to overdo so we\u2019re always lacking in sleep) and we prioritize things so we\u2019re not stressed out most of the time. And when we are stressed, we step back, take a look, and make changes.<\/p>\n

So maybe, ultimately, happiness is dependent on intentionality.\u00a0 Being intentional about what you do and how you live your life can bring happiness or contentment in itself.\u00a0 Give it a try and see if it works for your family too!<\/p>\n

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Farm Rich blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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About Farm Rich<\/strong>:
\nFarm Rich\u00ae products have been setting the standard for delicious, easy-to-prepare food the whole family loves. Farm Rich\u00ae foods taste like nothing else because they’re made like nothing else \u2013 with 100% real ingredients like real cheese, high-quality meats, and fresh vegetables. Our snacks, appetizers, and breakfast foods are quick-frozen and carefully packaged so busy families can prepare great-tasting food within minutes. Farm Rich\u00ae is a Rich’s Consumer Brand, which brings to market some of the food industry’s leading retail brands including SeaPak\u00ae Shrimp Co., Casa Di Bertacchi\u00ae, and more. From early-morning breakfasts to midnight snacks, we’re proud to say Farm Rich\u00ae products have become synonymous with high quality and great taste.<\/p>\n

More info:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.farmrich.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Enhanced<\/a>