The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. --Thomas Jefferson

It is essential for a family to spend time together to develop close ties and lasting bonds. Time spent together in sharing joys and sorrows leads to sharing quality experiences. In today's environment where both parents may be working and children have a busy life at school and with their tuition, it is not easy to arrange for everyone to be together at one time. Still, an effort has to be made and it is for parents to put their foot down and fix a time to be together like evening meals. Family members also get to spend more time together by sharing household chores, going out for a picnic or outings, sitting around the house, relaxing and chatting. Sharing happy moments, moments of sadness and moments at work is a sure way to develop closer ties and understanding as well as appreciation of each other.

As children grow, their interest in activities outside house, such as in school etc increases and family relationships can take a backseat. This is the time when parents impress upon youngsters the importance of spending time with family members. The family is a unit; a part of society and having a strong core makes for a better society. A strong family core also is the source of strength and inspiration for youngsters. It is an eco system that helps them to develop and grow into strong, mature adults. Each family member may have a different idea about the way he or she wants to spend time together. A group discussion helps everyone to air their views and then implement each one's selection by turns. If that's what makes him or happy, let's do it. Happy memories of family life can be great strength givers in times of stress and help weather the storm. By spending time together and sharing moments of happiness we create strength in each member.

Another dimension to spending time together in a family is that it is the only place where we can really get close to a person, understand all his quirks, accept these and even appreciate him for what he is. Growing up together, getting to know each other better and learning to accept gives each one maturity.

Spending time together as a family does not mean all members have to be present. It is also important to spend time one to one. This can be in the form of any chosen activity like short trips or any similar shared activity when a child has a parent all to himself.

Though spending time together as a family is important, there is a fine balance between adequate and too much. Each one wants private moments as well as time to spend in the company of friends. Parents set an example by balancing time spent together and time freedom for each to do what he likes best alone or in the company of others. A little bit of distance and time gap will make everyone look forward to being together once again.

What greater blessing to give thanks for at a family gathering than the family and the gathering. ~Robert Brault.

Count yourself lucky to have a family and find time to be together because before you know it, time will have passed.

All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together. - Jack Kerouac

I think togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life. - Barbara Bush