by Housemom

Created on: February 18, 2009   Last Updated: February 22, 2009

Family bonding is very important now a days. I have seven children and I am close to each and every one of them. I have found that if you spend time with them individually and together, your bond with them will strengthen. I have made up a few games that my children love to do with me. These games are: restaurant, school, grocery store, home video's, and story time. Let me explain these games to you.

The restaurant game: It is a simple game. All you need is a table, a kitchen, some paper and a pen. The first thing that I do is go through my food and make up a menu. Then I decorate the dinning room to make it look like a simple diner. My children then come in as customers (they act like adults) and I seat them. I hand out the menu's and take their orders for drinks. After awhile they will call me over and I take their orders and menu's. I cook their order and serve it. While they are eating I stay in the kitchen and listen to them chat to each other. I found that this game not only shows them that I love to spend time with them, but, it also strengthens their relationship to each other. I love this game.

The school game: This game we only play once in awhile. I'm usually a student and the kids take turns being the teacher, principle, student, and nurse. You can probably figure out how this game is played. When I'm the teacher I always introduce them to work they really do need work on or I will introduce them to work that they have yet received in school. This game helps you to understand your children more and at the same time you can teach your children new and exciting things.

The grocery store game: I love this game. I get to be the cash register every time. I bought 2 shopping carts (you can find the carts in Wal=Mart in the toys section.) that contains the cart, some money, some food, grocery list, and credit cards. I also bought extra food, a register, and some play money. (you can find these at Wal-Mart too.) I usually use the living room and set up all the food like a real grocery store. I bring out some grocery bags (paper and plastic) so I can bag up their groceries. They love this game and want to play it over and over. I love it because it shows them that I want to spend time with them and they learn the value of money.

The home video's game: This game is just to let my children blow off some steam and learn how to be creative. I find out from my children what kind of video they would like to make. If they want to make their own movie then I help them plan it and then I record it. If they want to just talk to the camera alone, I will set up the camera, leave the room, and then wait till they are done. Most of the time they want me in their video.

Story Time: This is my favorite time with my children. This is not your typical story time. At bedtime my children gather around in the living room. I start the story and then the children add to it. I always went from oldest to youngest so that it was fair. Sometimes we went around 5 times before the story ended. I love to hear the ending to all the stories. I think this game helps your children to be creative and to be themselves.

No matter what you do with your children, I believe that spending time with them through games is a way to bond, teach, and get to know yourself. I really do think that these things will help strengthen your relationship with your family. I try to get other family members in on it too. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It doesn't hurt to try. Good luck and I really hope that these suggestions work for you as it has for my children, my husband, and I.

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