You’ve decided to make that small family reunion with your foster grandparents, after many email and chatting correspondences down to the packing and plane reservations. Now the question is: How will you spent a week together?
At first glance, one would think this process of family reunions and get-togethers after so many years of letter and email writing, is automatic. The family relationship has been there, but you have changed.
Here are a few tips for family activities and family fun that will bridge the gaps.
- Food and Family go wonderfully together. Offer to make a home cooked meal in the evening. There is nothing like sitting around the table, listening to stories and feeling a connection. Reminisce over a bottle of white wine. It won’t be long before you start feeling sixteen all over again.
- Plan family activities for the growing family. Children and grandparents go well together. Make it light. Check out the town listings in your area. If there is a special holiday and event, revel in it. Otherwise, leave the children and take a hike in the nearby mountains. Allow your extended family to bond with your loved ones.
- Reread family letters. Your aunt or uncle may have saved those letters from the days you were an adolescent. Now as an adult, you can remember those days from a distance.
- Visiting old familiar places such as a former home or an old street or coffee shop with your loved one is part of that special family ties that you still have with Grandpa John or Aunt Judy.
- Have tea and coffee out on the porch. Getting acquainted with new friends as well. Remember the adage, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.” The same concept goes for family ties and fun as well.
Whether it be a long or short term stay, there will obviously be times when you fall into unconscious habits of thoughts remember how you behaved as a child, adolescent or young adult. This is to be expected. Accept it and move on. Your family may have changed a bit. For sure, they have gotten older and wiser as well. Be accepting and tolerant even if you don’t agree with certain habits and ideas. The theme ‘we are family’ is still prevalent in these situations.
Remember, this type of family reunion represents a good lesson is patience. It will take a good first few days o find yourself all over again.
