Family Night Flexibility

When we were first married and starting our family, my husband and I committed to follow the counsel of our prophets and hold a weekly family home evening. Over the years, we discovered several ways to hold family night regularly.

1. Be flexible. For a time, our family held two-part family home evenings to accommodate our schedules. We had a lesson on Sunday and an activity on Monday. Having two “mini” family nights helped us meet consistently together and provide appropriate Sunday activities as well as family time on Mondays. When my husband attended night classes for graduate work, we held family home morning for almost a year. This is also an effective way to include spouses who work evenings.

2. Develop traditions. Plan activities that your family can look forward to. We have enjoyed a variety of family activities, including our version of the Olympics and a Backwards Party for Leap Year.

3. Widen your circle. When my husband served as bishop, we sometimes invited new families in the ward to join us for family home evening. We also invited students who were attending a nearby university. Our family received blessings as we fellowshipped others and shared our enthusiasm for family home evening. No matter where we live, there is always someone we can invite to family home evening.

4. Organize an “Empty Nester” family home evening group. When our children grew up and left home, we organized a monthly “Empty Nester” group. Through this group, we have enjoyed uplifting discussions with friends who might otherwise spend Monday nights alone.

With some creativity, we have been richly blessed by following the admonition of our prophets to strengthen our families through family home evening.—Kathryn W. Hales, Ellensburg Second Ward, Selah Washington Stake

Illustrated by Beth Whittaker