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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email


Make family a top personal priority

By Business Psychology Associates
State of Idaho EAP provider

Do you wish to make your family a higher priority in your life? Developing quality family relationships is a great challenge and yields great rewards. By putting relationships with family members first, not only do we nourish our family members, but we find our most lasting fulfillment.

Family life could be viewed as the "rock polisher" of our human character. We are never more our true selves than at home, with both our strengths and weaknesses exposed for all to see. By jumping into the rock polisher of family life with dedication and enthusiasm, our rough edges can be softened over time, and our talents, strengths and ability to love can be refined and polished.

How do you know if your family is your top priority? Ask them. Ask your family members if they think you view your family as a high priority. Ask them what you can do to show them that they are a high priority. Be prepared for a wide range of answers.

To make your family more central to your life, and to improve family unity, consider the following:

  • If you are married, keep your marriage strong. It is the center of the family
  • If you are single, you are the center of the family. Take care of yourself
  • Plan specific times for the family to get together - to eat a meal, play outside, watch a movie, or just talk
  • Set aside time for you and your spouse
  • Make time for yourself
  • Consider the "family value" of each activity before you engage in it

These suggestions all require time, and time is often hard to come by in our busy lives. Having time to spend together as a family, or alone, often means giving up other activities. How you choose to spend time together as a family today will form the quality of your memories in the future.

Many businesses now offer "flex time" in place of vacation/sick leave. How you spend the flex time is up to you. When possible, use this time to your family's advantage.

We live in an extremely challenging, complex, and fast-paced modern world. Without clear direction and commitment, it is easy to become confused, overextended, and overwhelmed. By examining our priorities and making changes where necessary, we can place our families at the top of our list.

In the "gift exchange of relationships," actions such as reading bedtime stories to children, really listening to a teenager, visiting and writing parents, remembering the birthdays of brothers and sisters, and having regular dates with a spouse will greatly benefit your family.

Diligently guard your weekly family time. The results will be worth it.

Published 5-11-07