Family Time On A Dime

We never have any money to do anything. Does that sound familiar?

We took that out of our vocabulary a few years ago. It’s true that you will definitely have what you say, so if you keep saying it, you just might find yourself in that position.

In a previous blog, Our Daily Bills, we shared our journey of believing for our daily bills. During that time, we learned that life isn’t about what we have. It’s about what we do, with what we have.

You may be in a season where money is tight, you’re barely getting by, but are you noticing that God is still providing your daily bread?

Well, this is a great opportunity to show yourself and your children how you can have quality family time with little, to no money. In seasons of challenge we purposed to make the best with what we had. Below is just a list of a few things we did with limited funds, and we hope it will inspire you to get creative right where you are.

 

Family Dinner

As the kids got older and their schedules became full, sometimes that made family dinner time nearly impossible. While we strive for family dinner every night, we purposed that one day a week was a non-negotiable dinner time. No matter where you were or what we’re doing, you must be home for family dinner. To our surprise, that worked out great; even out kids look forward to it to this day!

Family High / Low

At dinner time, we would go around the table, and each person would share their high and low from their day. It’s very interesting what comes out at the dinner table.

 

Picnic At The Park

One evening instead of having dinner at home, we took dinner to the park, with a blanket and a deck of cards. Although it was fun, we must admit that it ended rather short, because the ducks came over and wanted our food. It was still a memorable time that we talk about to this day! In fact, as we wrote this blog, the kids chimed in and laughed about that day as they remembered so vividly the ducks coming up to our blanket.

 

Sleep Over in Our Loft

Yes, that’s right, we did a sleep over in our loft! All four of us pulled out sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and had our own sleep over. It doesn’t matter what room you decide to sleep in, just pick one. It could be: in the loft, the family room, the living room, your Master bedroom, or better yet, maybe your own backyard with a tent! It may sound corny, but the family loved it. We stayed up watching movies, talking in the dark, and snuggling with the kids!

 

Stroll in the Neighborhood

When living in Las Vegas the days can be extremely hot. However, in the evening it’s the perfect time to take a walk in the neighborhood. Often times after dinner we would go for walks, to get a little exercise and continue our family bonding.

Lazy Day

We just love these days, and quite honestly, we plan them! We like to spend a day in our p.j.’s watching movies, paying games and eating whatever we have at home. There is no special menu, no ordering in, just having fun by making do with what we have and enjoying the art of doing nothing. With all the hustle and bustle of our week, it’s nice to take a break. Another added benefit is teaching our kids that they don’t always have to be busy; it is ok to be still and just relax!

While we thank God for coming out of our financial challenges, we don’t regret the journey. What we have learned along the way has changed our thinking, our life, and our family. Our children have experienced God in a way that only He could have shown them.

They are learning that money isn’t everything, but in everything God will provide. Being happy with where we are, knowing that someone else has it worst. And most importantly, our family moments which are priceless, are some of the best memories they have.

Proverbs 13:22 (AMPC) says, “A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.”

And that is our goal; to raise God’s kids, His way, instilling in them values; values that reflect family, relationships, and respect for one another. By teaching them to take quality time for one another now, we are training them to take quality to for their families in the future.

~ André and Timberley Gray