Welcome to a new edition of Family Fridays. In this edition and many of the other upcoming editions, we’re going to be discussing the importance of reconnecting with your family. In the hustle and bustle of the digital age, finding a moment of peace and quiet is so hard to come by. It can be easy to simply hand our kids technology, rather than engaging in real-world activities that challenge their minds and engage their spirits. Each month, we’re going to be discussing new and exciting activities that you can do with your family to re-engage and reconnect!
It’s happened to all of us before. We’re on a road trip or on public transportation and we see or have a child that is acting up. They’re screaming and crying, face red from having a fit and being fussy. Time after time, it is much easier for parents, siblings, and strangers alike to engage these kids with a smartphone or tablet to help them settle down, rather than engage with them face to face.
Other instances of technology interfering with our family connections occur when the television buzzes throughout dinner time, or rather than listen to each member of the family discuss what happened throughout their day, family members play on their smartphone or tune into their computers. It’s hard often for us adults to put down our work or Facebook for a few minutes to talk with the people around us. We can get so caught up in trying to stay on top of everything else in our lives that we disregard the important people sitting right in front of us.
In the upcoming weeks in Lake Nona and just beyond, there are a variety of events coming up that get your family off the couch and engaging together. Here are a few ideas! Check out the October Calendar on the Nonahood News website for more upcoming local events!
-Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
-EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
-Sea World’s Halloween Spooktacular
-Brick or Treat at Legoland Florida
-Go out for a walk in the slightly cooler Florida fall air!
-Make your own Halloween costumes as a family! There are plenty of online tutorials.
-Bake some fall dishes together like apple pie, pumpkin, and sweet potato pie.
-Check out Pinterest for some fun fall DIY projects like playing pumpkin golf and making pinecone turkeys!
-Have a family game night without technology!
If you take any of our suggestions, be sure to tag us on Instagram and Facebook @nonahoodnews!
