During the school year, particularly in the winter and spring, I have a big problem.

After a long day of work, school activities, being the carpool dad, and whatever else being the parent of 3 teens calls for, there is nothing I love more than sitting on the couch and watching Netflix with Amy.

NCIS: all 13 seasons, done.
Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events: done (It’s wonderful, by the way.)
Blue Bloods: done.

I have been trying to talk Amy into watching LOST one more time… but I’ve had a realization.

It’s time for a change in the routine.

I’m not anti-Netflix or anti-binge watching. It’s just that so many times in the middle of the school year, we shift into survival mode. Go, go, go from one event to another. From one thing to another. From one sport, to one play, to one concert to another. As a family, it’s just complete chaos.

Are we the only family that gets like this?

I know better. I see all of you at the same events I go to.

The summer is a time to reclaim the family. Shut off the TV, break out the board games or spill open the puzzles. Face time has to be real, not virtual. The time to laugh and to catch up with each other is upon us, but it won’t just happen. I’ve got to make the push.

The church is trying to help with this by going through Blotch together in June. Every component of Western Hills will be going through this incredible little book with deep meaning. And it’s going to help to provide you with some incredible opportunities for deep conversations over dinner, or Sorry, or Scrabble or Farkle.

But it won’t just happen. You have to make it real by turning the phones and the tablets and the TV off. You’ll hear the groaning and the complaining at first. But if you hang in there, it will be worth it.

It’s time to change the rhythm of your family. And it’s going to be awesome!!!