Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Works For Me: Family Night

Once again, it's Wednesday and time to participate in
Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer's Works for Me!


I definitely cannot take credit for this Wednesday's Works for Me. But, I can heartily endorse it. In fact, this is the most important Works for Me Wednesday I've shared so far. By far! This is something we do every Monday night called Family Home Evening. This is a program endorsed by my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a night that is reserved for just family time.

Each family has their own way of doing things. Sometimes we just do something fun as a family like go out to eat, swim, go to a park or movie. But, most nights we follow the following agenda:

Welcome
Song
Opening Prayer
Scripture
Greeps, Gripes and Grumps
(This name is based on the book Cheaper by the Dozen. It is an opportunity to
praise and problem solve.)
Go over the weekly calendar
Lesson
Family activity (usually a game)
Treat
Closing Prayer

It takes us about an hour. Everyone takes turns doing everything. We use the above "assignment board" to keep track of who is in charge of doing what. Whoever is in charge of sharing a scripture also conducts.

The Benefits:
-Greater love in the family
-An organized time to teach spiritual principles to increase faith and gospel knowledge
-promoting family togetherness and unity
-The presence of the spirit in the home is increased
-Skill development for children: conducting a meeting, problem solving, gratitude for others, ability to speak in front of others, ability to prepare a lesson, cooking skills to prepare treats, good sportsmanship
-Increased family organization and planning
-Opportunity for one on one time as older family members help younger family members prepare for their parts.
-Greater Obedience of children to their parents
-Listening and Reverence
-A weekly date with my husband, because we take the time to plan for it

We usually do our preparations on Sunday, which is a great Sabbath Day activity as well.

Here are two great resources for planning your own Family Night:

Family Home Evenings at LDS.org. For more information on the program and its benefits, plus many resources for planning.

Deseret Book's FHE Lesson Archive. A source of close to 200 complete family home evening lesson plans including a quote, song, scripture, lesson, reinforcement activity and treat recipe.

Works For Me!

(Be sure to check out Shannon's link above for more great Works For Me Wednesday ideas!)

36 comments:

  1. What a great thing to share. We love Family Home Evenight! Well worth the effort!

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  2. Love it! Love it! Love it!

    I bet the event is memorable.

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  3. That is sooooo cute, what a great idea.

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  4. I love the board! I will have to make one for our family.

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  5. That board is beautiful. Did you make that, Nettie? As always, an inspiration for my family!

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  6. There is nothing more important than family! You always have such good ideas...
    My tip is posted :-)

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  7. tha is a great idea - i love you board - it is soooo cute!

    my wfmw is up too

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  8. Awesome Nettie...I must admit when WFMW time is here I'm itching to get to your post. Today is just another example...can I get that board anywhere, or did your crafty mind make it?

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  9. Very organized on the FHE. Way to go! I like how you linked to the church website too. Thanks for sharing so eloquently!

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  10. This is a great idea. No matter how much we try to have family time, it can slip away if you don't celebrate it on a regular schedule!

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  11. That sounds like a great family activity that keeps you all in touch. I love the peg board too. That would be a great way to assign chores also.

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  12. Brings new dimension to Family Planning! Great ideas!

    Diane

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  13. I can't take credit for the board. It was a Christmas gift from my very talented SIL. The letters are vinyl letters that a woman at her church makes. I know they are available elsewhere, but wouldn't know where to send you to look!

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  14. What a good idea! Family time is always a good thing!

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  15. I never thought of preparing FHE on Sunday - that's perfect! (We're usually, "Uhhh...what should we do for FHE tonight, in five minutes..." Thanks for the great tip!

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  16. Nettie, that is beautiful. I like the idea of the older kids helping the younger ones. And of course, the board...I hope your SIL is prepared to take orders!

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  17. SUPER idea! Family time is SO important! :)

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  18. Works for me too... most of the time. :)

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  19. I LOVE THE BOARD!!!! Wonderful idea. :)

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  20. Nettie, I have the board but I have never figured out how I want to do their names. I think you just gave me the answer. I don't know if you approve of advertising of sorts on your blog, but a local place around her that your sister and I found at the same time is http://www.phraseswallart.com/. They have some cute ideas and I think they ship out of state. I am going to contact them to get our names done in vinyl.

    If you want me to take the linky off, just delete this post.

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  21. YAY FHE! I love your board... do you mind if I copy something like it?
    Thanks for your comments over at my place!~
    Hugs,

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  22. I love your board. I am trying to figuare how to do something like that for our family. I love how creative you are. I always look forward to your posts.

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  23. I love that board, I can see so many uses for something such as that. thank you for sharing/

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  24. A beautiful idea...it fits right in with my summer goal to deepen our love for each other here!

    Also, THANKS for summarizing each week with your fav ideas from 'wfmw'--I'm running out of 'time' and I use your list to skim!! :-)C

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  25. I love those!! I've seen them in several different places. Where did you get the stuff to make it? We need something better to organize our FHE nights.

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  26. Awesome idea! That's a great way to get everyone involved. You've got me brainstorming ideas already.

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  27. What a beautiful idea! I've been trying to think of ways to spend more meaningful time as a family, so that was very helpful.And your sister-in-law is very talented!

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  28. we even have a "podium" (bar stool) ds likes to use-- oh and love cheaper by the dozen!

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  29. I am going to get the book you mentioned! My kids love books and any "extra" story helps get things moving along! I love the board too. I will be making one soon.

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  30. Okay, so I miss understood. Can you expound on Greeps, Gripes, and Grumps?

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  31. I started one of those great boards and have to finish it! Yours looks great!!!

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  32. Mama Darlin, The "Greeps, Gripes and Grumps" is something the family did in the novel, "Cheaper by the Dozen". It is based on the true story of a very amazing and large family. Basically, we compliment each other (Greeps), and then bring up gripes and grumps. Usually the kids are complaining about school lunches or something, but occassionally as issue is brought up that we can problem solve. We sometimes also use this time to make goals or go over requirements for scouts or Faith in God, etc.

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  33. Thanks Nettie for the explaination. I love this idea. It will be happening with our next FHE. What a good way to keep your kids talking to you in such a good environment.

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  34. I LOVE your FHE board! It puts our paper wheel to shame :-)
    I love having Family Home Evening. I know it helps to keep our family close together and close to our Heavenly Father and our Savior.

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  35. My DH and I are always last minute FHE planners. I love the idea of doing it on Sunday!

    Thanks!

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  36. GREAT idea!! Thanks for sharing =)

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