During this unprecedented season when families are required to stay home and maintain social distancing, we want to be an encouraging and sustaining resource that will equip you with practical insights and tools to help you take hold of the opportunities for a productive and fruitful family time.

Parents everywhere are discovering more of the blessings and joy that this extended time at home is providing.  Here are last weeks tips in case you missed it: 4/11 Tips & Ideas

Our mission with OneFamily is to equip, encourage and sustain couples in their marriage and parenting journey.

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This too shall pass…and When This is Over what new perspectives and gifts will we have gained and discerned?  What kind of life, what kind of future after quarantine do we want for ourselves and our children?  We all have something we’ve learned and something valuable to take with us.

When this is over…
May we never again take for granted:
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversations with neighbors
A crowded theater
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine check-up
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Life itself.

When this ends…
May we find we have become more like the people we wanted to be,
we were called to be
and may we stay that way
better for each other because of the worst.

-Laura Kelly Fanucci

 Quick Tips & Family Enrichment

  • Make a Family Thankfulness Tree – Thankfulness is a character trait that can be cultivated all year long. Making your own Tree of Thanks is a fun way for you to involve your children of all ages in a family identity building activity, as you think about what the extended time at home has meant in your family. Here is a link describing the activity: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/build-a-tree-of-thanks
  • Write your own Family Story – Write a story or begin a family journal about your family during the quarantine: your insights, favorite experiences, things that made you all laugh or made you sad, special ways each one has contributed to the family well-being, encouraged a neighbor, etc…  Get the kids involved in interviewing family members even extended family via Facetime or Skype.  Then put your story together and include photos you’ve been taking or drawings by the children. Here are some ideas to get you started: https://www.leapfrog.com/en-us/learning-path/articles/write-your-family-storyhttps://writeshop.com/writing-family-stories/ 
  • Take our Core Family Values Challenge – Create or update your own Core Family Values list: Core Family Values Challenge  When you’ve completed the challenge, make a poster or paint a canvas (order now) with your family name and list your family values to hang in the kitchen nook or family room.
  • Online Workshops & Classes – Add to your parenting toolbox and find encouragement during this unusual time! Online Zoom Workshops & Classes for parents available at:

Next Class – Parenting from The Tree of Life – Special condensed course

Sunday & Wednesdays, April 19 – May 3 7:00-8:15pm
http://evite.me/uJVAkdk7w4

Next weekend’s workshop – Understanding Temperaments: Marriage & Parenting

Saturday 4/25 – 3:00 to 4:00pm – http://evite.me/yAxja5Cuqd

or

Sunday 4/26 – 4:00 to 5:00pm – http://evite.me/YmH1a9xEPq

Please continue to send us your success stories, tips, ideas and best practices so we can share them with other families!  We’ve received some great ideas and look forward to passing them along to you each week!

Blessings to your family!

Shelly and Rich