Relearning to Have Fun as a Family

In the throes of addiction, making time to have fun with your family probably never crossed your mind. But now that you’re sober, it is important that you not only learn to rebuild trust and communication, but that you also relearn how to enjoy being a family. The question is: how?

Let’s start by taking some of the pressure off. Fun comes in many different shapes and sizes. It starts with feeling connected to one another. Start with something simple like having dinner together and asking each other, “what was your favorite part of the day?” This is a comfortable, pressure-free way to improve communication and relearn each other’s interests.

Spending quality time together is what’s most important. So, don’t stress out about planning extravagant vacations. Instead focus on simple activities that will bring you closer together.

Below are some simple, budget-friendly ways to have fun as family this summer:

Enjoy the Outdoors

It’s scientifically proven that spending time outdoors makes you happier and healthier, so why not take the family bonding outside? Grab your family and go for a hike, have a barbeque in the park, or take a trip to the beach. Not only is being surrounded by nature relaxing, but it will also help you and your family unplug from the chaos of everyday life and focus on what truly matters: each other.

Be a Kid Again

Whether you have kids or not, kid-friendly activities such as going roller-skating or miniature golfing are fun, carefree ways to spend time with your loved ones. Take miniature golfing, for example: no one – well, almost no one – is good at miniature golf, so it’s a way that you can laugh and joke with each other without pressure. Think back to your favorite childhood activities ⎼ playing laser tag, going bowling, riding the Ferris wheel ⎼ and make a day out of it.

Try Something New

Trying new things together is a great way to bond while making some unforgettable memories. So, find something that no one in your family has tried before and go for it. Whether it’s signing up for a cooking class or going skydiving, trying something you’ve never done before will push you to get out of your comfort zone and promote teamwork and trust. And it will show you how fun spending time together can be.

Give Back

Not only is volunteering great for your overall mental well-being, but it makes you a more compassionate person as well. Regardless of what you and your loved ones have endured together, you still have each other, and spending time with those who need it most will highlight just that. So, find an organization or cause that you and your loved ones are passionate about and see how you can help. You’d be surprised just how much of a difference one day of volunteering can make for everyone.

Having healthy relationships is a crucial part of recovery. And while rebuilding fractured relationships isn’t easy, it is important to make the effort. Don’t isolate yourself from family and friends. If you put in the work, you can strengthen the relationships that matter most.