When I think back to my childhood, my fondest memories are of Sundays.
They were the only days in our family that were predictable. Which sounds rather dull, but with the predictable comes comfort. Having that repeated routine has permanently set those times in my mind so that when I look back, I see them clearly. Where as for many of the other fantastic moments of my childhood, they were fleeting which means in my mind, soon forgotten.
Nearly every second Sunday my grandmother would come over for lunch. And lunch wasn’t just something haphazardly thrown together, it was a delicious roast with all the trimmings. My moms roast potatoes are literally the best things I’ve ever eaten and have generated a deep love for potatoes that I have continued to this day. Then there was roast pork chops, along side cauliflower cheese, rice and gravy. Oh and don’t forget the sweet carrots. We used to melt butter and treacle sugar over the carrots (because carrots are totes not sweet enough on their own apparently). But I loved it. So much.
Fast forward about 20 years and our family spends Sundays very differently.
After rushing through to church, we tend to stay and chat afterwards. Which is fine, but it does mean that we only get home around 12.30/1pm. Often to an empty fridge because of our social calendar we haven’t had a chance to shop over the weekend. So we either go out for lunch or throw something together from what we can find hiding in the back of the fridge. That’s if we’re not also going out to friends/family etc.
It’s just really not what I want our kids to remember. Not at all.
So we’ve brought back Family Sundays in our home. Sundays are now pretty much sacred. We try not to fill them with anything other than each other. And so far it’s been flipping fantastic.
A couple weekends ago we spent the day catching up on some gardening while Seth braaied and the kids played in the Play Mansion. We chatted and worked together dreaming of ideas for our little house. Then Seth made a little fire pit in the sandy part of our garden and we had hot chocolate and smores around the fire. It was such a good time spent together that I hope to continue every week now.
Do you have a sacred family day/time? What do you do to make it feel homely/sacred?
12 comments
Cindy I love this! We are guilty of literally doing nothing and letting the kids run amuck on a Sunday. I’m going to try and remember this post. My kids deserve way better memories than what they watched on You Tube.
It’s hard though and I get you, for a large part they do run amuck but at least a portion of the afternoon we try and do something that’s ‘repetitive’ to help it set in their brains haha
This is beautiful! Sundays are called family day but sometimes we use the word to declare Netflix and chill. The best Sundays are just like your story though. Braai, sun and no shoes and blankets on the lawn!
Don’t get me wrong – there ain’t nothing wrong with a little Netflix and Chill! There is totally place for that too!! In fact – we are firm believers in that 😉
Ah we used to do a strict family day on Sundays too – not necessarily the roast, sometimes it would be a braai or another meal, or we’d go out for a lunch together. It was lovely and I so miss it! The hubby and I spend our Sundays together in a similar way, together and enjoying each other’s company.
It’s such a great thing to still enjoy each others company and by making sure you do it more often I’m sure you feel like I do where it makes you want to do it even more?
Ah this is lovely! I’ve gone the extreme and we’re pretty much at home just about every weekend just the four of us 🙂 Saturday AND Sunday! I find it much more relaxing.
That is much more relaxing!
We have always done lunch with my mom as a family unit. When my dad is home we always do a massive lunch (with everything) and the veg and watch the latest singing competition or family reality show. Everyone stays together, we either pass out individually throughout the afternoon and then eat leftovers together for supper. The kids know there’s always 1 fizzy drink and a pudding on sunday (my 2 year old only get s his debut fizzy when he turns 5) but they absolutely love it. We’re slowly trying to revive game night, but have to wait for little am to be older.
Love reading this Cindy, warm and fuzzy is best in this weather ????
Your family day sounds awesome!! We also try and only have pudding vibes on a Sunday. And YES to games! We used to play cards with my grandmother and it was just the best thing ever. So good to have these family times
Great idea. You are investing in good memories. At the moment we don’t have a set family day.
It’s such a challenge though because it’s so easy to fill that time with other things