I was working on another article for the website over the weekend and trying to think of situations where families could increase their bonding opportunities. You know, mother and teenage daughter, father and teenage son or vice versa. And I thought of the times I used to do jigsaw puzzles - still love to do them, just don't have much time anymore. I remembered how natural it was to chat when one of the kids joined me at the table as we pieced the puzzle together, chatting away - relaxed and unpressured - catching up on one another's day. What a perfect and natural opportunity for family members to experience that closeness we all treasure.

So here's a suggestion. Find an area (in or near the kitchen, if you can); where you can lay out the puzzle pieces on a table that family members can work on as opportunity presents itself. It's a hobby you can leave to stir the pot or check the oven and come back to as time permits. It'll always be there when you get back to it and who knows who'll drop by and chat awhile. ^.^