Anybody know what Group Synergy means? For those of you who do not know, it means that the total outcome of a group’s efforts is greater than the actual sum of its parts. Another way to word it would be, a group with 5 individuals accomplishes more than simply 5 individuals working alone. Having interaction among the 5 individuals is more productive than if they all worked alone. With this said, Group Synergy can eliminate stress on the individual and produce a better outcome for the whole.
Having 4 kids under the age 5 is tough when you all are working alone. So, a great way to reduce stress in your family is to apply Group Synergy. Let’s call it Family Synergy. It is proven that synergy is more productive in the work place. Having 5 people work separately on independent tasks is not nearly as practical as having all those 5 individuals work together on each task. This also will work best within your family.
Let me give you an example. Mommy is not home yet and it is 4:30 in the afternoon. The baby is sleeping and it is time to think about dinner. So why not get the children involved? One can set the table and the other can help you get the food out of the refrigerator. Now, we are talking about little children so you may need to assist them and become the teacher by showing them through example. Again, this may take some added energy but in the long-term you are investing great things into your family. So if at first they aren’t participating fully, just keep plugging away. If their mind is there with you watching you prepare dinner then they feel 100% included.
By the time mommy gets home you are all in the kitchen preparing dinner. Make sure you tell mommy that they are great helpers and that they helped prepare dinner. This boosts confidence and gives them a sense of purpose. Your kids will begin to establish a role within the family and begin to feel important. Make sure mommy thanks each of them for a lovely dinner.
So don’t just moan and groan at 4:30pm and think you need to get up and start slaving over dinner in the kitchen. Bring the kids in with you. Put a small radio in the kitchen for background music and get in the routine that every day at 4:30pm we have fun together by making dinner.
It has been often said that families who cook and eat together remain together. Don’t lose that. I know my dining room table was covered with junk and bills and papers and who knows what for years. Clear it off. Move that stuff to another designated area, like a desk, or a drawer. Reintroduce the dining room into the family. Turn the TV off at 4:30pm and during dinnertime. I know how easy it is to just leave it on for background noise. Just turn it off.
It is real easy to fall into a rut and feel like a robot. You think day in and day out things are the same. Well, kids can definitely spice up your life, so bring them along and get them involved with you. You aren’t the family. You, your wife, and the kids are the family and so do it together… whatever it is. A lot of these examples seem really simple, but are you doing them? Little things add up quickly and so in most cases just subtle changes can impact a family greatly. So take the energy to invest your time into your family by applying subtle changes.
I had a discussion with my father that I will never forget. He had come to visit for a few days and we caught up on old times. As we sat there talking the kids were playing and having all sorts of fun. I told my father that the kids sometimes do things they aren’t supposed to and was wondering if they were simply trying to get attention. Sounded like a reasonable question and I am sure it was, but he said something to me that I will never forget. He said, “Son, kids will do ANYTHING, unless you tell them not to.” I had thought about that comment and it makes complete sense. This is where structure in our lives helps keep our kids on the right path.
If we do not keep our kids doing things and learning they will simply break off and begin doing what they want. This, in turn, could lead them to develop unhealthy habits. Keep your kids doing things by getting them involved. Make sure you have them develop good habits instead. Developing bad habits because of the lack of initial energy could lead to behavioral problems in the future. So keep the kids on track and structure their day. Stay ahead of them and plan events that will shape their day… their week… and most importantly their lives!
Copyright© Steven Remington