Love this idea, and I think the rest of the family will, too, which will make it easier to get them on board!

posted on 1/17/2012 9:34:15 PM

All the family I have (my husband and kids) live with me. We eat together every night and most weekends we try to do some thing extra special - movie night, game night, etc.....

posted on 1/14/2012 4:18:50 PM

My family gets together for dinner once a month and have a fantastic time.

posted on 1/14/2012 11:30:49 AM

I try to do this with my friends.  Family is a little bit harder due to distance - but we get together about every other month.

posted on 1/10/2012 9:19:57 PM

great idea.....I tend to do this more with my friends than my family....

posted on 1/8/2012 3:14:34 PM

This is a great idea. I wish I lived closer to family so we could do this too.

posted on 1/5/2012 11:15:48 PM

This sounds like a great idea!  My family is pretty well spread out with high power jobs.  I would love to see if we could make this a part of every year from now on.

posted on 1/1/2012 8:25:00 PM

We did stuff like that when I was a kid growing up in Missouri, majority of my family is in KC so my husband, our kids and the rest of his family periodically get together, but we all stay constant contact.

posted on 12/24/2011 4:02:14 PM

This sounds like an interesting idea. I hope many try this! Family and friends...is everything!

posted on 12/23/2011 2:42:02 AM

I will be alone this Christmas!What family I have don't live close and don't seem to interested in being family.

posted on 12/23/2011 2:40:52 AM

Love this idea, but with all of my family so far away, we do a video chat online! My family spreads from Fl, to NY to NV,, and we talk online at least once a week! Sometimes we even sit down and "have dinner" together :)

posted on 12/21/2011 9:24:04 PM

Checking in, love the ideas- family is so important this time of year.  If you dont have family - reach out to a neighbor.  A home baked treat is a wonderful way to reach out and let those around you know you are thinking of them.

posted on 12/14/2011 6:16:08 AM

I host my extended family for all the Fall/Winter holidays - that's enough for me! LOL

posted on 12/6/2011 5:30:44 PM

People who live far away from each other can skype once a month, send cards to each other( you know - snail mail).  Try calling each other with exciting news or better yet- set up a family only facebook page- we did.  You do it under groups and only the family is able to see posts from each other- keeps you all close and up to date on what is going on day to day!

posted on 11/23/2011 5:37:17 AM

This is a great idea but does not work for those that have family several hours away. I think it only works for those with family in the same town as them.

posted on 11/22/2011 7:28:24 PM

I love choosing ONE day of the week as a date week. No matter what happens thru the week, we know that...THAT particular day is just for us...to go to the movies, out to eat or just to stay home and get cozy!!

posted on 11/9/2011 1:20:47 PM

for birthdays we are now getting creative.we have gone away from cake and ice cream because in some months there is a family birthday each week. now we have ice cream sundae parties, popcorn balls, samores,caramel apples,pumpkin everything, flag design, all about eggs, hearts content, which president are you,flowers everywhere,ect!!!!! as a family we've now been to fun places like different apple orchards and pumpkin patches. to parades all over the state. to old fashioned ice cream parlors. devine gardens and some outrageous egg hunts. then we come home and do crafts and make food a a family from wherever we have been. sometimes when its a zoo theme we take our lunch with and the foods have to be shaped like animals. no one gets bored with the same old routines for birthdays anymore!!!!!

posted on 10/23/2011 2:45:27 PM

We started a family facebook page- a private group.  We titled it "family ties".  We post thoughts, cheers and in general, keep up with each other day to day.  Sometimes you dont have the time to pick up the phone to let your sister know about your day- you can always post a quick note and then everyone is in touch - its fun.

posted on 10/17/2011 6:16:18 AM

These are great ideas!

posted on 9/21/2011 9:14:09 AM

I like that idea! Months go by and then guilt sets in and more time goes by. That's a wonderful idea cuz if you miss one there is no akward reset date. Just every month on the same date.

posted on 9/19/2011 6:16:36 PM

Great idea but not practical for us. My husband and I both travel frequently so do not have much spare time for get-togethers. We alternate holidays with my family and his so everyone gets equal attention, and we do the 'calendar' thing in our heads ("Where were we last Christmas, Dear?" "At your parents, I think..." "Okay, then we will be with your parents this Christmas." - that's settled!).

posted on 9/13/2011 10:48:49 PM

Thanks.

posted on 9/8/2011 11:19:13 AM

thats a ::::in horrible idea

posted on 9/4/2011 4:00:12 PM

This is such simple advice and I find myself thinking, "Why didn't I think of that?". My family and my husband's don't get along. We try to keep in touch with both sides, but it seems like when we are spending time with one side, we tend to neglect the other side. It is mostly his side that we neglect because I don't normally think about his family or (dare I say) miss them. I think it would be nice to start planning ahead of time when we all can get together and not let the plans change.

posted on 8/31/2011 8:29:58 PM

Some times after working all day, I'm tired.  It's hard to come home and have to cook dinner for my family.  I involve my children (ages 19 and 16) and my husband too, in helping prepare dinner.  I'll prepare the main dish (pork chops, chicken, etc) and they each choose and prepare a side dish.  It helps with dinner preparation and we get to spend some quality time together as a family.  It also has made great cooks of my kids!!!

posted on 8/23/2011 6:33:01 PM

I love this idea.  Some of my cousins and I get together for breakfast occassionally.  I love the bring your calendars and plan the next one.  Great tip.

posted on 8/22/2011 7:52:28 PM

I would love to do this but I do not have any immediate family in the area except for my in laws. And while they are great hosts, I have a very small house and a limited budget so every attempt to gather at my house is shot down pretty quick. So I try to bring something to their get togethers. But it would be great to actually have people over and them not have to clean up or cook anything. Maybe when we get a bigger home or move closer to my side of the family in my home state. 

posted on 8/17/2011 4:17:14 PM

that is a great idea

posted on 8/9/2011 2:12:40 PM

I love this idea.  My sister-in-law has the big house and the outdoor deck, while we don't even have enough chairs for our family to have everyone eat dinner at the same time at our house, and my other brother lives in an apartment, so she always gets "stuck" hosting the events.  She insists she likes it, and insists on doing most of the food herself, maybe because she knows she's got the biggest budget, but maybe she will warm up to the idea of potluck at least.  I will share this with her, thanks.

posted on 8/2/2011 6:09:44 PM

I would love to do this but my whole family lives 4 hours away so I only see them about three times a year.

posted on 7/23/2011 10:39:46 PM

would love to do this idea, but sadly my family is spread between US and Canada. :(

posted on 7/21/2011 11:41:35 PM

what a great idea.  i hope to try it soon with my family, this will be a good way to catch up and see how all the kids have changed each time. they get to play and have fun and so do the adults, everyone brings food and it won't be too hard on any one, hosting a dinner or bbq is hard work.forget all the hard work and enjoy your family!!!!!! thanksm allen 

posted on 7/1/2011 9:49:16 PM

Pot-lucks are such a great way to spread out the duties!  That way one person isn't responsible for everything- that's how we always do it in my family!

posted on 6/30/2011 12:16:55 PM

That is a really great idea.  I think I will do this with my neighbors since I live in a different state than my family.  But I like my neighbors so thanks for the suggestion!

posted on 6/29/2011 12:05:53 PM

I really like this idea.  I may have to implement this!

posted on 6/28/2011 6:28:21 PM

12345

posted on 6/24/2011 9:45:43 PM

I insist our family sit down to eat together at least 10 times a week at least one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner...it give the family a chance to get to know eachother again

posted on 6/24/2011 2:46:33 PM

We'd love to do something like this, but college and jobs and health issues have taken both sides of our family all over the country. It's just not possible, so instead our families vacation together by sharing a cabin for a week in the summer and winter. It's crowded, but it's family time -- and fun!

posted on 6/22/2011 3:42:21 PM

We do this with my husbands brothers and their families.  We don't no it every month but every 3 or so and we mostly met at one brothers house because they are in the middle of us and the other brother.  My sister-in loves to cook but not travel so she loves this set up.  You just need to do what works for your family the best.

posted on 6/8/2011 9:58:23 PM

That must be wonderful to be able to do that, but not always a posibility for some families. Mine is spead out all over the U.S.A., we do good to see each other at funerals... sad, I know.

posted on 5/26/2011 4:40:53 PM

i like this idea.  I'm going to try it out and see what happens:)

posted on 4/27/2011 10:34:14 AM

What a wonderful and simple idea. It's really very easy to do. The hard part is overcoming the lazies and gas prices since we live abt 30-40mins away from everyone else.

posted on 4/12/2011 12:38:31 AM

I really like this idea. Right now we only get together for birthdays and major holidays. Its sad but true. I love the idea of getting together during the months where there are no holidays otherwise we wouldnt see eachother from April - August!

posted on 2/20/2011 10:01:15 AM

I usually get together with my sister-in-grace and her husband almost wvery weekend. My mother-in-law also comes over every Sunday too. It is much eaiser to get dinners with them than my side of the family. Beyond my immediate family, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, etc...there is just way too many of us to get together, but this was a great tip!! Thanks for sharing :)

posted on 2/15/2011 3:46:43 PM

What a blessing it is that you all live close enough to be able to do that.   It sounds great!

posted on 2/10/2011 5:02:10 PM

That's a great idea, however our family doesn't live close to us.  We have a family reunion every year though.  I'm so glad that we do, as I suddenly lost a close family member this past fall that we had seen last summer.  I'm so happy that we had the reunion so that I got to see him then.

posted on 2/8/2011 8:58:06 PM

It is a fantastic idea, but one of my children has decided to take over our family.  She wants to do everything in her home and says it's the size and she has everyone convinced of that.  Now none of my children or grandchildren will come to my home for anything including holidays.  It would be so nice if we could do things together, but Mom is "HOME" and I think it is only fair that they want to come home along with going to every other persons home also.

posted on 1/26/2011 7:13:10 PM

me gustaria saber ,que es el amor de familia yo en lo personal estoy lejos de mi familia pero nunca supe el amor verdadero ,incondicional,siempre espere el abrazo de mi papa,nunca me dijo que me queria,mi mama siempre una persona metida en su mundo donde solo contaban sus favoritos,espere por muchos anos en que llegaria el dia de preguntarles ,en esta navidad que paso porfin pude preguntarle a mi mama ,pero fue muy doloroso el escuchar que no lo sabia,mi papa el nunca podria responder por que sufre demencia senil,pero yo si les dije que los queria ,pero adentro hay mucho dolor.

posted on 1/12/2011 6:10:09 PM

Love this tip! It is a great idea!  We all get together for holidays and birthdays but we could get together even more often than that!

posted on 1/4/2011 4:10:27 PM

We live in the town where my husband grew up, along with his sister's family and his parents.  We often go months without seeing my husband's sister and our nephew.  I LOVE the idea of a set monthly get-together!

posted on 12/20/2010 12:47:44 PM

Kathy, I can feel you. My house is in the same boats except my relatives aren't rich.  I am poor, poor. I have a rare blood disease called Polycythemia Vera. Just learned about it this year,  My red blood cells are over populating in my bone marrow. i have been poked and prodded, tested both by my regular doctor and by the Cancer Clinic. At the CC they told me I need oxygen, because I have trouble breathing (throat feels like it is closing up all the time). . I have signed up with Social Security for SSI Disability, I am 51 years old, no insurance of any kind, not able to drive, walk much, stand long. I don't want your sympathy, I just need someone I can talk to without getting hollered at. I stay thirsty all the time, hot/cold all the time, and hurt everywhere, itch, and different kinds of sores pop out in places where sores have never been.  Social Security told me, its going to be 2 1/2 years before I can see the Appeals Judge.  (what am i suppose to do? die before they will help me?) I really need a friend right now.  I can't sleep at night or until my body gets exhausted and falls out.  The doctors won't give me any medication for the PV,  And besides all that I have to listen to people outside my house prowling, and stealing, among other things. The police won't stop them, I have called them 15 times in one week to no avail.  And I know some of them, their not scared, they don't care that I know they are there, I have even stayed out at night in the summer time, watching them, taking pictures of them, listening to them, they even tried to recruit me to help them watch for the police. I don't know to do to keep me and my family safe from them except to keep quiet for fear of we all be killed, God forbid.  

posted on 12/14/2010 11:32:22 PM

In reply to Eleanora:I would have her start out on pads,  and as she gets older, she can decide which one she would rather use.  

posted on 12/14/2010 11:12:56 PM

Our Close knit extended family of nearly 70 people, we are strung from one end of the States to the other. We can manage to get together about once every two years. We make the best use of that limited time by picking a vaction spot to have everyone meet at. We've met in Branson Mo. Yellowstone, Wisconson Dells, Florida,  Pennsylivana...

posted on 11/12/2010 5:02:28 AM

Always eat together as a family

posted on 11/10/2010 6:06:29 PM

We try to have a pot luck once a month or so. We rotate and each host/hostess gets to decide what they want, finger foods, desserts, soups, etc. It's fun to try to come up with something different each time.

posted on 11/4/2010 8:24:53 AM

My 2 full sisters and I flew my mother here and we went to the All You Can Eat Chinese Buffet!

posted on 10/28/2010 4:12:35 PM

i love my family and wish everyone felt the same way. i would love to see them more often.

posted on 10/22/2010 5:17:58 PM

This sounds like a great solution thanks!

posted on 9/20/2010 5:41:51 AM

wow! thats a great idea! a mini reunion! i love it! i have a small family 1 little sister her husband my mom and dad and our  2 sons and we are lucky enough to live withen a half hour of each other. i count my blessing everyday for that! my sons are so close to their auntie and my parents, very lucky we are!

posted on 9/15/2010 6:52:29 PM

If you live within a days driving distance from a loved one and would like to see them more often then find a place that is a halfway point and meet there - for a few hours/ a day or weekend get-together.  It should be an equitable arrangement if all parties involved would like to see each other more often.

posted on 9/5/2010 2:34:50 PM

My family lives their own lives so we don't get together for nothing. We are not close. They are too fancy rich to invite the meagers to their homes anymore. I am not poor poor but I do not have money like they do.

posted on 8/24/2010 8:26:20 PM

believe it or not vocalpoint brings my family together. It will be my mom, my daughter and i and i have to corner who stole the sample and if thet liked it. U sually my mom has the coupons and we can never find them til after they have expired, and feminie products my daughter will split with me but soap , shampoo, etc give it up so i want to register them sp i can make real, legitimake accounts about they peoducts with out starting a family feudlol

posted on 8/6/2010 6:02:51 AM

Awesome idea! One side of the family has tried to do a mini reunion once a year with all the cousins, aunts and uncles since my grandmother passed away. But it's still difficult to get everyone together even just that one time a year. I looking forward to another mini reunion being planned. Meanwhile, I think I might implement this plan with our kids & grandkids more than one night a month. They are still really young families and would appreciate the free dinner. ;) lol....  Awesome idea and I'm gonna run with it.Thanks

posted on 7/21/2010 12:49:56 PM

Nice idea; we live 8 hours from most of our family and we try and visit at least once a year.  Wish I could see my brother more often.

posted on 7/21/2010 8:18:59 AM

I have had a real change in my life since Nov. 27, 09 My Husband passed from this life, leaving me a widow who lives alone now. My schedule has been very busy and trying to put the pieces back together making adjustments, along with other problems.  I hope that very soon I will be able to adjust to a more normal lifestyle again. Thanks for being patient with me.  I have enjoyed the new drinks you sent me, I loved them. I enjoy very much being a member of Vocal Point Survey Group.  Marie Fleming

posted on 7/20/2010 12:27:10 AM

Last year my mother was diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer withing 3 weeks she had a complete mascetomy (spelling?) she was devistated.  But luckyily she has finished Chemo which lasted through the end of February and then 6-8 week radiation everyday.  Two weeks ago she had her reconstruction.  Still not done with all the stuff that goes with this terrible illness that so many are affected by.  But in reality, it brought especially of our family closer.  Everytime she would be going in for a surgery from the beginning till the end, we would have a family dinner/celebration that it was caught in time to extend her life.  Now, the girls and daughter in laws, take 1 day a week and meet at one of our houses eat lunch and do whatever we want, mostly scrapbooking, sometimes just laughing about things that others would look at us and think we are crazy.  Well we are crazy, we take every minute to enjoy the life we all stilll have and to not sweat the small stuff.  Her illness has been the best thing that could had ever happened to our family.  But I wouldn't want her or anyone else have to go through what she did.  For me seeing her was unbearable the pain, you see it, hear it, and feel it.  So I challenge all of you if you have distanced yourself from your family- try your best to get reconnected not because of any illness, but just because they are your family.  The can't be replaced.  A car can, etc.  Thanks for allowing me to share this with you.  Pot luck is always good you get to try different peoples taste of food.

posted on 7/10/2010 11:18:04 AM

This is great and something that my mother-in-law always tries to do! We get together at least once a month for Sunday lunch or dinner!

posted on 7/9/2010 2:12:39 PM

this is the best tip ive seen on this site yet!

posted on 6/22/2010 10:25:05 PM

Sounds like a great idea. I am trying to get my fathers side of the family together for a reunion. Family has drifted apart since my father, his sister and their mother passed away. Afew of the cousins are all for it. My children don't know over half of their family members and I would like to change that. Just would like to know where to start.

posted on 6/17/2010 6:11:20 PM

start your daughter off on pads, there easery

posted on 6/10/2010 10:52:05 PM

I HAVE A 11YR OLD GIRL  WHO ABOUT TO STRIT HER FRIST PRIETE, SHOULD I LATE HER USE TAMPONS OR JUST PAIDS

posted on 6/10/2010 4:39:03 PM

This is a excellent idea,Just trying to get everyone together once a month would be a little a hard.

posted on 6/2/2010 4:47:21 PM

My family and I try to get together ever year, usually at Thanksgiving, with a rotation of locations since we are spread out across the country.  We started this many years ago after the death of my father and have continued the tradition religiously.  It works well, and always an event to look forward to.

posted on 5/22/2010 7:04:45 PM

It is a great idea, but with everyone's schedule hard to do and make plans.  I go over to my son's house usually on Mondays and spend the time with my granddaughters, 4 and 2, and we have dinner.  My daughter lives out of town but try to get to see her at least once a month, if I can't we at least talk once a week.  Family is very important, my two brothers play darts one nite a week, and I try to go over there on that nite also. You have to make an effort to see family and spend some time with them, yes we are all busy, but family is to important not to make the effort.  I feel very sad for families who are torn apart by something, life is to short, get over it, you will miss them when they are gone.

posted on 5/12/2010 4:27:15 PM

This iea sounds like a great one.  All I have to do is get the kids to answer their cell phones so we can set a date and time.  Thanks for the suggestionPat in Florida

posted on 5/11/2010 3:47:16 PM

My idea is a little more "close" to home.  When my husband and I were both commuting 3 hrs. a day, with one child in high school and one in elementary school, that were both in athletics and other activities -- we were in chaos.  UNTIL, we set a "required" family meeting right before dinner on Sunday.  It was always at the same time, always lasted an hour, and each family member rotated as the chair of running the meeting (even our grade schooler had his rotation).  We also kept notes.  Everyone talked about the past week, the upcoming week, what was going on, concerns, questions.  We created a calendar at that time of the upcoming week.  If one of the kids didn't include an activity at the time the calendar was created, that activity wasn't going to happen.  I know it may sound drastic, but the kids got input, practice in running meetings, PLANNING -- and we all didn't have to react.  Made our lives and communications a BUNCH better!

posted on 5/11/2010 2:05:18 PM

I love spending time with my family.  My children are grown, but once a week we get together for dinner, game night or dinner out.  This is my favorite time of the week.  Growing up my family was very close, so this is the only style I know.

posted on 5/11/2010 12:52:56 PM

This is an EXCELLENT idea! Our family is growing and growning with babies of our own, neices, nephews...we all live within an hour and a half of each other. We can totally make this work! Love it!

posted on 5/8/2010 2:51:06 PM

great idea thanks

posted on 5/1/2010 5:25:51 PM

This is a great idea!

posted on 4/24/2010 3:24:49 PM

This is a great ideal exvept for is your children are scattered across the country in different states as mine are,but I love the ideal and will try to do this with the ones in my home state,and just keep in touch with the others and send them pictures of the fun we have and maybe encourage then to visit more often.Thanks for the great ideal.

posted on 4/18/2010 3:21:19 PM

What a great idea. Sometimes it's best to schedule things so they actually happen.

posted on 4/15/2010 7:12:59 PM

This is difficult for my family because I have a huge pile of kids and my brother & his wife choose to be childless.  Also it is much more work for me to entertain then my extended family that lives nearby. When I was growing up we got together regularly, but as we have moved across the states and everyone has started their own family, it is not a possiblty to get together once a month. Also weekends are my kdsi time spent with their dad who travels with his work. I think twice a year is much more reasonable an idea

posted on 4/10/2010 11:24:44 AM

I stay in touch with one of my daughters through Skype that way I can see her and the grandkids as we talk. The kids still at home I try to make sure we all connect a couple of times a week just to dicuss how everything is and to have fun

posted on 4/7/2010 8:30:27 AM

thats really nice

posted on 4/6/2010 8:26:32 PM

I have an extremely large family and we are scattered across several states. We still have a lot of family in my current state of residence. Every month we get together for a FAMILY GAME NIGHT. Everyone takes turns hosting at their home. The host gets to choose the games and we all bring a pot luck dish or dessert. We also have a 50/50 drawing where 50% goes toward our yearly mini reunion. Once a year we throw a Mini family reunion in the park. We always encourage the out of state relatives to attend if possible. Most of the time it is just us locals but last year we had people come from North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C. and New York. It was great. We do this because we all know how easy it is for family to drift apart even if you live close to each other. 

posted on 4/6/2010 3:48:59 PM

Our family alrady does this my aunt does Chirstmas I have Easter and Thanksgiving and one of my sister's does Mother's day brunch we also so have a Valentines luncheon just for ladies and there are twelve of us we take turns hosting every year this year was our 26th luncheon. Diane Milwaukee, WI

posted on 3/31/2010 12:26:32 PM

My family is scattered around a 4 state area, so this wouldn't work for us. We do try to get together for a mini-vacation every summer, though.

posted on 3/2/2010 4:51:35 PM

I love the idea of my family getting together.  I may try and do this starting next month.  I get together with my friends more than my family.  Thanks for ideas.Kimi

posted on 2/24/2010 11:54:36 AM

My sisters and I usually get together once a month at my house.  We cook dinner together and then we all eat as a family.  It's really nice to have all the nieces and nephews all running around the house. 

posted on 2/23/2010 10:49:14 PM

I'm disabled so it's just too much work.. I can hardly do it on the first day of the year..

posted on 12/26/2009 9:14:56 PM

This is a great idea.  To prevent financial worries for anyone, try having the get together at a park or forest preserve.  Everyone can bring their own picnic lunch...or do a potluck.  Keep it simple and concentrate on just having fun!!!  Have everyone bring some frisbees, volleyball or other fun activity that easy to setup/use.

posted on 12/23/2009 7:49:06 PM

Great idea, I think this could work for our family!

posted on 12/19/2009 8:12:16 PM

fantastic idea!  a monthly dinner with 12 different cuisines a year!

posted on 12/15/2009 2:22:08 PM

This is a wonderful idea, and much neede in my family.  I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers and we only get together during the holidays.  :(

posted on 12/10/2009 8:58:59 AM

We tried this idea, but didnt bring a calendar along, and it sort of died down, will try this!!Good idea!

posted on 12/8/2009 3:24:22 PM

We do this about every-other week. The key is to keep it simple and relaxed.

posted on 12/8/2009 1:54:33 PM

That is a great idea! My struggle will be getting the whole family to commit, but what a rewarding outcome! :)

posted on 12/2/2009 11:49:00 AM

Love this idea. Now to find the one to organize all of this! :)

posted on 12/2/2009 11:45:11 AM

That bis a good idea.

posted on 11/27/2009 9:06:04 PM

Great idea thank you

posted on 11/24/2009 2:57:46 PM

thank you for all your help

posted on 11/20/2009 6:45:45 PM

I am so happy that you have the kind of relationship with your sibblings that you can do this.  I have two older brothers and the oldest is basically a hermit at his home and the other brother is not a very nice man.  I don't even want his around my child. I feel like a only child and I am afraid that once my parents pass away it will be just my immediate family--my husband and daughter.  Really, I am glad for you!

posted on 11/17/2009 10:17:52 AM

This is a great idea. But there is 8 girls and 1 boy in our family.And only 2 of us agree to have gatherings at our house. The others never invite anyone to their house for anything they leave it up to just me and 1 of my sisters to have something at our house for every holiday. We have tried to encourage the others to start doing their part. But it causes such a fuss its not worth it. They always have some excuse as to why they can't do something at their house. And that in itself has caused a strain in all our relationships. I remember when we were young we got together for everything. I do miss it.

posted on 11/8/2009 12:55:31 PM

Natalie from WI could not have said it better, that is the same thing I put into my adult children and teaching my G-Babies as well.  Family is important no matter what.  Grudges, mishaps, mistakes or whatever need to be forgiven the same day or no later than a few days depending on the situation.  Sure people have friends and associates but when it come down to it.  Blood is thicker than water so it is said.  If you have a bad moment make the next few moments better.  It's up to people as individuals to behave like adults and children of all ages has feelings just like adults.  So be careful what you say to them when you are upset.  Always put god first then family.
Mrs. RB of TX

posted on 11/7/2009 9:44:51 PM

I sure wish this was possible,but I have to say,this won't happen anytime soon. But, its a fantastic idea. My children and I do get together often,just not my sisters and brother. To be honest,I wish we could all be together like this. We use to be a close family,but not now. My sister doesn't invite me to my own mom's birthday. For years my mom thought that I just didn't come,but I finally told her"mom,I am not invited! I didn't want my mom to think that I did not want to be there,because for her,I wanted to be there. Even though my sister would not want me to be there. I don't know why,but I think its because of llies that have been told about me and she believes them. No matter what,I always think of her often. I love my family and I always will love my sisters and brother. This makes me sad so I will not write any more about it. If you pray,pray that God helps me endure this,or that he makes a way that my family wants to be a family again.

posted on 11/7/2009 3:29:09 PM

I agree that my family (or some sections of it) does not get along enough.  We have grown apart since my parents passed away and one sister (of three daughters) did everything to drain my parents emotionally and financially the last few years they were alive.  It has been five years now, but she burned almost every bridge there is to burn and she still thinks we (my older sister and I) were unfair to her during the settlement of their affairs.  Recently her daughter had a baby and now she isn't even attempting to make ammends by being a good grandmother to her daughter and son.  She actually has the nerve to ask her daughter to pay her to babysit.  My sister doesn't work or anything!  Since we have such a small family still living, and with the arrival of our new grand nephew and my niece, it would be nice to try to bury the hatchet, but I don't think we can until my sister grows up and/or accepts that she was not the victim.. .she comlains about the lack of money we got from what little estate was left after they passed away, yet she is the one who lived in the house while we tried to sell it - with drinking, smoking, and dachsunds using the garage as a litter box.  That certainly didn't do anything to help sell the house.  I guess I got off the family get together/reunion topic -- I just fear that if we are together for more than 30 minutes or so, things will get too stressful and get out of control.  She never invites us for dinner or tries to meet for dinner without expecting everyone else to buy her whatever she wants - expensive entrees, desserts, and alcoholic beverages!  She is 54!  I think it is too late unless a lot of things change. Any ideas or suggestions to deal with that situation?  I guess the rotation idea would work with other members of the family though. Thanks for listening.. I didn't plan on venting.  

posted on 11/4/2009 4:06:56 AM

Thank you so much! I love this idea!! I plan to do this!!

posted on 10/31/2009 10:46:24 PM

My family and I get together once a week. Every wensday for desert. We alternate who brings the desert and we catch up with whats going on in all of lives. Its a great way to stay in touch.

posted on 10/26/2009 2:00:54 PM

A less expensive way to train a puppy without having to buy expensive training treats is to use cheerios. We have a 7 month old black lab We used cheerios everytime we took her out to get her housebroken. She loved them plus is was healthier for her than some of those fattening treats. We also used them for a reward when she would listen and follow thru on commands it really worked like a charm without breaking the bank.

posted on 10/23/2009 5:03:55 PM

What we do is get together for a birthday dinner. which ever one of us is celebrating a birthday we all look at our calandar's to see when we can all get together. then we set a date, email everyone for reminders. the birthday person gets to pick the restaurent, and everyone puts in and pays for there dinner. this jan. we are going to start a birthday fund, everyone will put up $20.00 a month. then we will just pay for our dinner out of there. that's because all of our meals have come up to about that amout from each of us. we have a great time, and we get to see each other more often.

posted on 10/20/2009 7:43:15 PM

This is a great idea!  I have a sis that I see about twice a year so I am forwarding this to my fam right now...

posted on 10/16/2009 4:38:49 PM

If my family lived close this would definitely be fun!  Unfortunately all cousins and siblings are out of state. :(

posted on 10/14/2009 11:23:28 AM

We are so busy these days we foreget to have lil mini reunions I miss them so much, I am grateful for the reminder maybe I will plan a Family get together. Something my Family used to besides bring a dish to pass was feed the kitty everyone donatates a dollar or $ ? to the kitty with there name on it at the end of the evening one is pulled from the kitty ^=^  I used to love that my grandmother doctored this so that the neddy one in family always seemed to Win ! :) didn,t know til I was older helped me big time for school books !  Happy Holidays everyone*

posted on 10/14/2009 4:59:44 AM

this is a good idea - it is hard to get everyone together at Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving - this gives everyone a chance to see each other at some point during the year

posted on 10/12/2009 6:12:09 PM

The idea is probably great for those who have big families or live near reletives. It is always good to pencil in a future date before ending any get together - that's why Drs do it.

posted on 10/12/2009 7:09:42 AM

Great tip!  It's always a challenge to get family together ... this makes it seem very manageable!  Time is too short not to take advantage of every moment that we can get with family and friends!:)

posted on 10/10/2009 2:06:31 PM

What a  great idea  I'll have to run that by the  family  thanks

posted on 10/9/2009 1:02:13 PM

I'm going to try this with a little twist. I think it would be a great idea to have each family member living at home - my kids are 12 and 16 plus the girlfirend 16 and my husband - to pick a night during the month where they plan the meal, fix the dinner and maybe have some kind of "family activity" aferwards. I think will be a great way to get them use to purchasing what is needed for a full meal, learning the time it takes to prepare and clean up - plus, prayerfully, bring some light on after you have done those things you really want everyone to sit around and talk or spend some time together after the meal. Thanks for the idea!CIndy

posted on 10/8/2009 9:14:38 AM

such a great idea ... it's too bad that my family lives a little too far away from each other to make this work well.  but one a quarter would be an improvement over what we do now!  i'll have to sit down and find some fun places that would be equal distances for everyone to drive to.  thanks for the inspiration!

posted on 10/7/2009 9:49:25 PM

My family try to see each other and have dinner at least once a month. We also talk to each other at least once a month too. We love each other even though we know we have differences. My children are all adults and live on their own with their extended families and we all enjoy the time we have together.  

posted on 10/7/2009 8:23:15 PM

This is what my family did when we live closer together....1200 miles apart makes it hard to accomplish without having lots of moneyto travel with a large family.

posted on 10/7/2009 4:00:41 PM

THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA. TIME PASSES BY SO FAST AND WE NEVER GET TO SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS OFTEN AS WE WISH TO, EXCEPT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS. IT IS A SHAME, BUT YOUR IDEA IS WONDERFUL. EVEN WITH OUR HEALTH ISSUES WE CAN STILL MANAGE TO DO THIS SINCE WE WOULD BE TAKING TURNS. THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL IDEA.     ALICE J., SC.

posted on 10/7/2009 1:57:33 PM

This  is a great ideal even though we all live in the same neighborhood we don't get together enough.  I will run this by my family ans see how it works out.  Thanks again for this great ideal.

posted on 10/7/2009 1:33:51 PM

This is a great idea. We live in a small town and still can't seem to get all of us together just for a visit. A lot of us also have healthe issues that make having a party difficult, but if we all did one small thing, it would work out great. I think I'll be the first to try it....Thanks for the great tip!!!!

posted on 10/7/2009 12:23:56 PM