We’d like to thank a variety of people for their interest and support of Putting Family First Night that took place on March 7, 2005.
Cable 12 News
Catholic Spirit
City of Plymouth
Grandkids and Me
KARE 11 News
Lakeshore Weekly News
Messiah United Methodist Church
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minnesota Parent
Minnetonka/Plymouth and Wayzata Rotary Clubs
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
Sun Newspapers
Wayzata Community Church
Wayzata School District
WCCO Radio
We also recognize that there are many people and organizations that we have missed. Please let us know what you did to promote or support the event by
contacting us. Thank you.
Mark your calendars for next years event!!!
Monday, March 6, 2006
Posted by Susan at 3/17/2005 09:55:00 AM | Link
Turn off Activities and Turn on Family!
Putting Family First Night is Monday, March 7
Need some ideas or don't know what this all about, read postings below.
Posted by Susan at 3/05/2005 03:13:00 PM | Link
To see what several families are planning to do with their "night off" on Monday, March 7, visit
Plymouth's plans for "Putting Family First".
Why is this "Night Off" so important? Overscheduled, frantic lives interfere with rituals such as family celebrations, weekend outings, and vacations. Family time and relationships can be more crucial to healthy lives than scheduled activities, yet we have difficulty resisting this pressured way of raising kids. We want to encourage families to examine their day-to-day schedules and to choose what matters most. You might want to create your own Family Night - one night a week where EVERYONE stays home. Need help in starting one?
Pick a night. Set a time: Set a time and location that everyone has agreed upon to meet. It is best if you can pick a given night each week (every Monday or every Thursday) and keep it there. At the outset, this might not be possible but should be a goal.
Everyone commits: When a family decides to focus on family night, each member commits to making it work. That means we have to say "no" to conflicts. Teenage kids need to have the night off from work and school activities. Moms and dads need to say no to work projects, phone conversations, and athletic events. This is one of the hardest parts of a family night program, but it is essential.
Time is spent together: Television, listening to music or everyone reading something different doesn't count. Family activities on family night involve everyone together. Activities such as walking or hiking, playing board games, working together in the yard, being involved in community service projects, visiting relatives together and the like are the model.
No heavy stuff: Family nights are not the time for discipline, for arguing, for forcing compliance. Make them light, fun and engaging.
For more ideas on planning your own family night, visit:
Family Night: Simple and PowerfulNational Family Night a MonthReady, Set, RelaxFamily Night Make It a Part of Your Family's Routine
Posted by Susan at 3/02/2005 08:10:00 AM | Link