Ahhh…there’s nothing like a little Forced Family Fun. I’ve been using this term/strategy/method for years…ever since I first heard it mentioned on an episode of The Middle. I love The Middle and my kids and I have been laughing through it for 8 seasons. It came out at the same time as Modern Family…and has quietly been producing hilarious shows ever since. Esquire even declared it The Best Show You’re Not Watching last year. I wholeheartedly agree. It’s real life…with a lot of heart warming moments. Yes…I do cry occasionally when watching. 😉

Anyway…ever since the fateful term “Forced Family Fun” was uttered in Season Three of The Middle, I’ve been using it like it’s my own. It was the perfect description of the family days and outings that I made my children do through the years. They were not optional…we were all going…and going to have fun, while doing so. So there!

We had our latest installment of Forced Family Fun a few weeks ago on a Sunday. My oldest daughter was home for the weekend, it was a sunny, beautiful February day, and there were calls of “we should do something…”

There’s not much I love more than a walk on one of our beautiful beaches, in ANY season, so when I suggest “walk on the beach” there was some moaning and groaning…mostly from my husband ;)…but it was an unseasonably warm day for February and the girls like the beach as much as I do. So we grabbed some hats and mitts and we were off!

There’s just something calming about the beach. The sound of the waves, the surf rolling in, the sand under your feet…or boots….it’s refreshing and peaceful. During the winter months when you can spend a lot of times inside, there’s nothing better than a walk on the beach to clear your mind and make you feel rejuvenated.

Our kids as well can spend way too much inside and way too much time staring at a screen. Now…if you have girls…and maybe some boys too…they will have their phones out to take selfies…and I love beach pictures, anytime of the year…so I took a few too. But mostly phones were in pockets, and we all enjoyed a walk, some chatting and laughing, and feeling good from the fresh air and exercise.

Forced Family Fun activities are terrific in that they do force you all together…not in separate rooms…not with headphones in (you may want to lay that out ahead of time) and when they are older and sharing family stories, chances are these may be some of the ones they bring up. They might try to fight it…but these are the type of traditions that tie us together. Family time is important. Forced or not.

Remember there is no bad weather, just bad clothing, so try a winter beach walk! Here on the South Shore we are fortunate to have so many close by, so throw on a toque, fill a thermos with hot chocolate, and take a walk! You’ll all feel better for it. Your kids may not admit it…but will probably enjoy it too. Forced Family Fun….give it a try!

We are a family of five, but my son was away that day. 🙂