✨The Family Habit We Didn’t Know We Needed
My children’s best friend lives next door—and once a week, they’re not allowed to see her.
Every Sunday, she disappears. Her family keeps Sabbath and takes it very seriously. They attend church, spend the day as a family. No swimming in their pool. No video games. It’s a day for God and for each other.
Two years ago, I thought, That’s a good idea. We should do something similar.
So I cleared our Sundays. No activities (except church). Just family time.
But you know what I did? Laundry. Cleaned the house. Went to the grocery store.
Needless to say, Sabbath didn’t last. It didn’t feel special. Just a whole day dedicated to errands and the ones liked least at that.
A few months ago, I decided to try again. But this time I did something different. I didn’t just clear out calendar.
I removed the work. No errands. No phones or computers.
It was … well … transformative.
Last Sunday, my children pulled out books I used to read to them as toddlers. We read them together for hours. They pointed out memories, things they used to say on each page, things that once confused them and new things they noticed. It was so special.
Later, my youngest shared something that had been weighing on her for a long time. She bared her soul in a way she hadn’t before. I finally understood why she gave up dancing — something she used to cherish. We worked through it. I understood her better, and we’ll walk a new path soon.
Would that have happened if our day had been filled with noise? No.
It was possible because we had spent the whole day together dedicated to one another. Unhurried. Undistracted. Open.
There is always more to do. Always. You must make connection sacred.
You can’t lead your children without it.
And connection doesn’t happen accidentally.
Every week should have time dedicated for the explicit purpose of being together. Even better if that time is spent contemplating the divine.
I wonder what you’ll find in the stillness.
Laughter that comes more easily.
Conversations that go deeper.
A version of your children — and yourself — you haven’t seen in too long.
It will look different for every family.
But one thing I know for sure.
The laundry can wait.
Your family shouldn’t.
Start with one Sunday.
How about this one?♥️
If this resonated with you, you might also enjoy The Hidden Curriculum of Greatness, Stop Managing Time – How to Start Living by Your Values, Tools That Build a Curious Home.
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Remember → Children are our most important work.
~Dr. Claire
