Do you want to know the missing link to traditional parenting styles? Or how a family should really be? Check out one word that can change your life and give you the answer to these questions and a lot of other questions.

Do you find yourself exhausted with life thinking it's not what you dreamed it would be. Or thinking that you didn't realize that having a family would be so much work.

Let's start by saying that the word fun should be included in a lot of what we do. We can get caught up in the everyday routine of things with work, family, activities along with responsibilities to self and it becomes one big blur. By the time your day has begun and ended your second job kicks in which is a little more indepth. This is the one that involves the most important people in your life - your family.

With just your wit at the end of the day - parenting can seem a little hard and chaotic. One word can fix everything believe or not. If you put the fun back into your life - your life won't be as complicated or challenging.

Let's start by rearranging what your expectations of what parenting should be. Parenting is not what it was for your parents and it's not what you see on t.v. or read in books or magazines. It's about re-evaluating you as a person and the type of parent you'd like to be. It should include enjoying yourself as a person and allowing personal time for healing and regrouping. It should also include being at peace with yourself and encouragaging that in your family.

It's not only kids that grow - but just as we watch to see what our kids do with their lives - they are watching us to see what we do with ours. Being the best you for your family is what will make your family grow. Putting the fun back into your life and then encouraging it in your families life. So, let's define fun - it's the stuff that makes you laugh and feel good about yourself.

F - families should have as much of this as you can without to much planning. You should wear it daily even when days don't seem as bright as the next.

U - utilize time wisely by making family dates. Family dates should occur twice a week with no electronics and no t.v. It should include creative dinners by all parties - meaning everyone makes a creative simple dish for that night.

N - nice are what people consider famalies as and yet they can get a little noisy while having fun.

Another activity should include taking plenty of pictures. There is nothing better than having the ability to look back on the best times with a hard copy right in front of you.

Finally, engage in an occational game. The most important part of games is that all are involved and everybody is having fun and getting closer together. So have some fun with this one and don't be afraid to get creative.

Someday, you'll look back on your life as a person, parent and family member and laugh - so I encourage you to try a lot harder to laugh now. The more fun you allow in your life - the better your life will be. So have some fun on me.

Live, Laugh and Love
"Making a difference in the world one person at a time"