Today two of my friends, Caroline of the Bingham Diaries and Elisa of Crazyland (both ladies run Mormon Mommy Blogs and the Casual Blogger community and conference together) are appearing on television to introduce a new project that they are working on called Return to the Family.
In today’s world, the family unit is often discounted, and even overlooked, so we are calling for a revolution. We would like to invite you to return to YOUR family, by using these two steps: 1) having regular family dinners and 2) having uplifting art in your home.
Have Regular Family Dinners
Family dinners aren’t about the food. They’re about being together. And families that regularly eat dinner together are happier and less stressed.
Children that eat dinner with their families are more well-adjusted, healthier, and perform better in school, on average, than children that don’t eat with their families.
In the 2007 talk, “Good, Better, Best,” Dallin H. Oaks counseled families to avoid over-scheduling.
The number of those who report that their “whole family usually eats dinner together” has declined 33 percent. This is the most concerning because the time a family spends together “eating meals at home [is] the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.” Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs. There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner, is you.
Have Uplifting Art In Your Home
One of the easiest ways to get dinnertime conversations started is by simply displaying a piece of art work in your dining area.
In a lesson at church we are taught:
A house is a place where people live in peace and happiness. A house can be a cave, a cottage, a tent, a palace, a cabin, or a hogan. The size or beauty of a building does not make it a home; happy people make a home.
Each of us should create a feeling in our home that will inspire our family. We want our family members to live gospel principles and to make good use of their time and talents. We should provide opportunities for study, recreation, and hobbies in our homes. Then family members will want to be at home and will be less likely to seek activities elsewhere.
Children are a direct product of their environment, and what they learn within the walls of our homes are the lessons that will carry them through life. The art in our homes tells our children what OUR priorities are. The 2011 Return to the Family project is designed to teach and inspire your family.
Artist Liz Lemon Swindle, Leelou Blogs, and Mormon Mommy Blogs have hand selected 12 LIMITED Collectors Edition Paintings, that will feature custom quotes and sayings, designed to spark interest and encourage family discussion. The first painting comes in a beautiful frame. Each month after, you will receive a new matted image, (so that you can switch out the paintings) to display. Details of the program and artwork can be found on Foundation Arts website.
About the artist:
Liz Lemon Swindle began her painting career in first grade. Her first exhibitions were on the refrigerator, encouraged by her father. In the early 1980s she tutored under renowned wildlife artist, Nancy Glazier. In 1992, Liz began painting a subject matter she had long desired to approach: her faith. Her paintings are now held in corporate and private collections around the world and have been published in countless magazines and books. Liz Lemon Swindle has painted more pictures of Christ and his life here upon this earth than any other artist living or deceased. Liz and her husband Jon have five children and thirteen grandchildren.
Disclosure: Links to the Foundation Arts/Return to the Family website are affiliate links and I can earn a portion of sales made through these links.
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Great post! I feel that family dinners are such an important family bonding time. Liz Lemon Swindle is one of my favorite artists!
it is to important to eat the dinner together it ties us with our family member closely but nw in the busy world there are small amount of families who eat food together due to their work and busy schedule
I have loved Liz’ art work since I first saw her years ago. And I love anything that Caroline and Elisa do together!!
Family dinner is so important! We try to do it each night, even if we’re just eating left-overs.
What a wonderful post! I contribute to Mormon Mommy Blogs with book reviews every now and again. Caroline and Elisa are awesome! Thanks for passing the word along. The pictures are breathtaking.
I totally agree that everyone should return to the family. I posted about the need for families to have dinner together back in October…you can check out my post here: https://msaunderson.blogspot.com/2010/10/family-dinners-setting-up-your-family.html