If lockdown and Covid-19 hasn’t frayed your emotions or nerves at all, then consider yourself lucky. Many people have had a real struggle of a time over the last year, and it’s quite clear as to why this is. If you feel that way, you’re not a worse person for it. It’s a healthy and natural response to the situation we find ourselves in.

Unfortunately, bringing our family together despite the lockdown strain is often quite a difficult approach, of course, made most apparent by the fact we cannot physically see one another quite as much as we would have otherwise.

Furthemore, even with your close family, such as your young or teenage children, it can be that spending so much time with one another instead of attending to our usual responsibilities of work and school means things do feel a little taxing from time to time.

How To Bring Your Family Together Despite Lockdown StrainGraphic by Carolyn J. Braden, Image courtesy of Canva and PexelsPin me! carolynsbloomingcreations.com — How To Bring Your Family Together Despite Lockdown Strain
Graphic by Carolyn J. Braden, Image courtesy of Canva and Pexels
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My husband and I had some good things happen in 2020 (he finally achieved getting a new job after years of trying and we moved to a new state), but with the layer of Covid restrictions, the changes were definitely harder to make and we struggled with our emotions.

So - how can you better bring your family together at this time, raise moods, and increase your bond? It’s worth considering.

Let’s see what it might mean in practice:

1-Cooking Warms The Heart

Remember that cooking often warms the heart, and it can ignite your passion and bond when cooking with someone. For instance, taking the time to make this shrimp alfredo recipe can help you teach your son or daughter the starting principles of working with seafood, as well as showing them how classic ingredients like pasta can be renewed with other ingredients they may not eat as much of - in this case, well-prepared seafood. This not only teaches a life skill, but helps your family come together, sharing in the spoils of this most time-honored effort.

We moved to the state of Florida, which is surrounded by oceans and seafood is in abundance everywhere we go. Cooking it at home is something we’ve never done, but there’s a first time for everything!

2- Movie & Television Nights

Huddling together for a regular movie and television night can be important. Of course, you might feel as though you already spend too much time in front of the television - so why not limit this to specific nights that a) - help people come together at specific times, concentrating solely on the show, and b) - help your family showcase their tastes to one another.

This method of taking turns and making a community night of it can help entertainment feel less disposable, but rather something to look forward to. In that approach, you’ll feel a little more open and satisfied.

My mom and I talk on the phone several times a week and often share what we are watching at home. We try to watch something the other recommends and then share our ideas about it during our conversations. We both love television and movies, so it’s a fun topic for us to talk about for sure!

3- Regular Conference Calls

Regular conference calls can make a profound difference to how comfortable and confident you feel with your familial relationships. This might involve, for instance, a Skype call with all the family on a Sunday evening - helping to restore you all for the upcoming week, helping your children see your Grandparents, and generally feeling that you’re no longer disconnected by those around you.

If you can approximate that kind of approach, you’ll be more likely to suffer less from missing those closest to you, as you’ll see their face, and hear their voice. If this hasn’t become a regular habit - why not make it one? Friends count too!

Can’t do a visual call? Pick up the phone and just call or text someone instead. I make it a point to call my 96 year old grandmother a couple of times a week. Before I moved, we had monthly dinners. Even though I can’t do that now, I know our social time can continue through dedicating time to talking to her on the phone. I also text and call my other friends and family several times a week. I feel strange if I haven’t spoken to another human (besides my husband) and I know others probably feel the same way. Humans are social creatures, so it’s important to keep up with being social no matter what.

With this advice, I hope you can more easily bring your family together despite the lockdown strain.

Sending light and love to all who need it!

This is a sponsored article. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post are based on my personal point of view.

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