For better family conversations, do this even though siblings are not all on the same page. Get the family together for breakfast!
Family breakfasts are one way, not the only way of how to have better family conversations.
Being on the same page is not the point, family ties matter more.
For better family conversations the Armstrong’s took this approach.
Read on.
What makes excellent family time possible? Sibling synergy is helpful for this to happen. Here is my definition. It is the combined effort of two or more of us to produce something more significant in relationships than anyone of us could accomplish alone.
The back story of Armstrong’s monthly breakfast.
In 1989 my father died. The house got sold, and we seven siblings had no point of reference to assemble as a family. Our mother had passed away in 1965.
My father’s passing, although expected was a sad day for my family. In the sadness of that time, my brother, Joe proposed a tradition that would hold our family together. Joe, said since we have lost our central meeting place lets begin meeting on the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at a local restaurant. My brother, Joe and his wife recently moved to a retirement community in MA and is no longer able to meet with us here in Lancaster County, PA. But our family owes a debt of gratitude to Joe for putting our family on the correct path 30 years ago, thank you, brother Joe.
One of my favorite quotes from President Ronald Reagan.
“The family has always been the cornerstone of American society. Our families nurture, preserve, and pass on to each succeeding generation the values we share and cherish, values that are the foundation for our freedoms. In the family, we learn our first lessons of God and man, love and discipline, rights and responsibilities, human dignity and human frailty.”
Here it is, for better family conversations, do this – Having our breakfasts together is making better family conversations possible.
Continue reading; make no mistake, since we are not the perfect family, yet here is what we are doing. For better family conversations, do this, and ‘this is‘ what we are doing.
Since 1989 we have had breakfast together as a family, only missing one or two Saturdays due to weather conditions. At first, all seven of us and our spouses met, later joined by nephews, nieces and other family members. Over these years 3 of our brothers have passed away. We were together through the grieving times.
Good breakfast food and lots of talk around the table opens doors for fulfilling conversation.
Particular family time has built a cohesiveness to our family. Family time together does not mean we all agree on things, spiritually, politically, or how each of us raised our families. It has been an unspoken rule; we have never discussed the disappointments, misfortunes or miss-steps each family has experienced.
Most, if not all of us are born again Christians which points us in a positive, life-giving direction in discussions.
How to have better family conversations, do this.
Organizing a monthly breakfast might be difficult, but I assure you, the effort will be worth it. Let’s get together for breakfast. Eating together spurs good conversations, always has and always will.
As Nike says, ‘Just do it!’
Every first Saturday is a ‘hallmark day’ for us as a family. It continues to be a significant time bonding us together.
“God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalms 68:6
For more insight on this read my post, ‘Do we ever get to go home again’ here
Why not start a tradition in your family. If your family is scattered around the globe, be creative, find a way to stay connected with your siblings.
What keeps your family connected?
Just think about this; our lives pass too soon, so family ties do matter.
I’d love to receive your comments, questions or insights you have on this post. Please comment in the comment box provided.
I’d appreciate you passing this post on to others in your groups or on your social media pages.
Thank you,
Richard Armstrong