Published: January 03, 2009 09:22 pm      

Family game night

Fun way to teach values, interact with your kids and develop strong ties

A family night has long been an important priority for Jason and Andrea Naff. In fact, the Beckley couple finds ways to spend time with their five girls several nights a week.

“We both came from homes broken by divorce, and we decided early on we would do everything we could to keep our family together,” Jason said. “Making time to be together and do things as a family is definitely a priority for us.”

Andrea homeschools and is with the children all day and she enjoys the change of pace when Dad gets home and the family has time to play together.

“Family night brings us together as a team, as we call it,” Andrea said. “It’s something that keeps us grounded and helps us set aside all the hustle and bustle of life and just concentrate on one another and being together.”

With daughters ranging in ages from 7, 5, 31?2 and twins , 11?2 , the Naffs find ways to include everyone in the fun.

Games that involving matching pictures and working puzzles engage the younger children, but a wild game of Twister gets everybody into the action.

“It’s a good way to teach colors, the difference between left and right, and it’s just fun,” Andrea said.

“Operation” is one of their favorites, and even the toddlers can participate with a little help from their older siblings.

“We encourage the older girls to take more responsibility and to help the younger ones. They learn that it’s OK to lose, and even to let someone else win sometimes,” Andrea said. “While we’re playing together, we can also learn about taking turns, being fair and showing respect for one another.”

Aside from board games, the family also engages in play wrestling, games of hide and seek and times that allow the kids to be loud, run fast and burn off lots of that extra energy.

There’s also at least a night or two the family spends at the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA.

Time together is always interwoven with the Naffs’ commitment to their Christian faith. Jason is a faculty member of Appalachian Bible College in Bradley, where he serves as program coordinator for family and youth ministries and teaches classes in marriage and family.

The heart of their Christian commitment comes from a Bible verse found in Joshua 24:15 — “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

“God instituted the family, and our family exists to glorify God and to honor God in all our activities,” Jason said. “Even in our fun times together, we are focused on learning life lessons and teaching our children how to live out our Christ-centered values.”

The evening meal closes with Jason reading a Bible passage and allowing family members to share in a discussion about it.

After a time or prayer, comes baths and story time. Jason usually reads to Avery, 7 and Ryley, 5, while Andrea finishes baths and reads with Ellis, 3-12, and the twins Nola and Selah.

“It brings the activity level down and creates an evening ritual that sets a quiet mood just before bedtime,” Jason said. “It’s a nice way to end the day together.”

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com