Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: August 2022: Family Fun Month. Did you know school starts back in about 3 weeks. I dread this because it means we will not get to see Lily or Jason that much. To make the most of the end of Summer I plan on making sure to spend at least one day a week with my niece and nephew. Would you like to join us for same Family Fun without electronics?
NATIONAL FAMILY FUN MONTH
Family Fun Month rolls around in August each year. It is the perfect reason to take that long-awaited family vacation. Or to simply put away all the devices and have some good ‘ol fashioned quality time with each other. With the month of August serving as the golden hour of Summer, expect to make the most of August by surrounding yourself with your loved ones and enjoying their company. After all, no one has your back more than family does, so it’s best not to take for granted the wonderful messiness of family relationships.
Family Fun Month is there to remind you to take a break, so we bring you share ways for how you can fully utilize the last month of Summer. Before the chaos of school, work, and extracurriculars activities threatens to engulf you and your family, make the most of this month by finding ways to create memories together.
HISTORY OF FAMILY FUN MONTH
The origins of how Family Fun Month began are unknown. However, we’re sure glad that someone thought family fun was an important enough concept to celebrate over an entire month. Furthermore, this month presents the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the diversity that exists within the single term ‘family.’ Traditionally the concept of family was defined as “the co-residence and the organization by kinship” or “a co-residential group that makes up a household and may share general survival goals and a residence.”
We have come a long way from such a framework or definition, and that in itself is something to celebrate. Today there are all sorts of families, from single-parent households to blended families, to adopted families. The idea of blood being thicker is fast becoming redundant and archaic, as more value is placed on the actual caregiving relationships which bond people together.
Historically, the study of family history became a separate branch of history only by the 1960s. I’s something that is separate from Genealogy. People are keen to trace their ancestry as far back as possible, as it’s always exciting to know how far back one’s ancestry goes and to discover the Socio-cultural contexts one’s ancestors existed in. If we were to go the ancient route, there are many origin stories of the first family — from the Biblical story of Adam and Eve to Hesiod’s “Theogony,” which tells of the Greek Gods and their complicated family relationships (written in 800 B.C.). However you decide to trace the history of families, there’s no denying that families have existed since the beginning of the human race, therefore no man is an Island. We all can choose to invest time this month with someone who we consider to be family.
FAMILY FUN MONTH ACTIVITIES
- We’re sure you don’t need to be told this twice. Whether it’s a local staycation, camping trip, road trip, or an actual getaway to someplace completely different there’s nothing like a change of scenery to motivate everyone. Trips provide the best opportunities for making memories that will last a lifetime so get to planning that trip. Before you say I don’t have money to go anywhere there’s something for every budget.
- Like with team-building activities, families can try something completely new by learning a new skill together. This could be cooking. Or a new language, or craft. There are so many options out there. This can be something that’s taken up and lasts the entire month.
- With family fun being the mandate for the entire month, make the most of this month by tapping into our pool of other wacky and fun holidays that occur in August to make the most of all that this month has to offer. It’s that time of year when delicious celebrations like National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and National S’mores Day come around. In case you were looking for an excuse to treat that sweet tooth. International Friendship Day also occurs in August, so feel free to personalize these unique holidays and make them your own by coming up with ways to observe the holiday with your family.
5 FACTS ABOUT UNIQUE FAMILY-BONDING ACTIVITIES
- Create your own family recipe book. Included reasons why the recipes speak with you, to be passed on as a family legacy.
- Dig deep to unearth the Genealogy of your family tree. Then build a family tree together, complete with character traits and anything you find.
- Set aside a time when the whole family puts away all screens and finds alternative ways of entertainment. Spending together. We use Board Games or go for walks during this time.
- The idea is to bond as a family by supporting a family in your community who may be in need.
- It’s over a month, you can make a roster and set aside particular days for each member of the family to honor them on their days by celebrating that person. Create there favorite meals. Watch there favorite movie and play games they enjoy.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE FAMILY FUN MONTH
- Nothing is more important than investing in the relationships we have and perhaps take for granted sometimes. Family Fun Month can serve as a reminder of how impactful family relationships are. How enjoyable it can be to get together with our family and enjoy the company of one’s family members.
- The concept of the family unit contains powerful symbolism and meaning. The family is a unit that has existed from time and will continue to do so. Not only are families integral parts of Society as a whole, but families shape each and every person in the world. If that isn’t the most awesome universal fact, we don’t know what is!
- Unless you’re a real humbug, we’re sure you don’t need to be told twice when it comes to partaking in enjoyable activities. Who does not love to have fun? It’s extra special to put a smile on the face of loved ones. We love the fact that there’s an entire month presenting opportunities for having fun.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
