Staying Connected HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMI LY CLOSE IN A BUSY WORLD
happy REMEMBERYOUR RITUALS Rituals make up the backbone of individual families and society at large. Most people wouldn’t dream of abandoning their holiday traditions, so why forgo the smaller rituals that bring families together?Whether it’s eating dinner at the same table each evening, watching a movie together everyThursday night, or going on a monthly getaway, make sure these traditions aren’t canceled. If your family doesn’t have many rituals, a great way to connect is to start some. If you feel like you’ve hardly seen your kids since the school year started, you’re not alone. Americans are way too busy — from childhood onward, we’re always running hither and thither, packing in as many after- school activities, work-related meetings, and social engagements as possible. It’s a problem so pervasive that it has a name: time scarcity. Families feel time scarcity keenly after school starts in September, when children’s schedules explode with engagements. But all hope for close ties isn’t lost; there are ways to stay connected with your spouse and kids, even in an increasingly busy world. Here are some ideas from counselors, teachers, and psychologists who claim to have mastered the art.
MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT As cliche as it sounds, when you don’t have much time together, it’s crucial to be present for every minute of it. If you have a rare half hour at home with one of your kids, make a point to spend it in the same room and try to start a conversation. If you squeeze in a romantic dinner with your spouse, turn off your phones before the food comes. Listening to each other without distractions will strengthen your relationship.
HUG IT OUT Physical contact is vital for
closeness. When you get the chance, hug your kids, hold hands with your spouse, and do physical activities
as a family, like hiking, biking, or even playing group sports. It’s been scientifically proven that physical closeness leads to emotional closeness, so if you’re low on time, take advantage of that shortcut! Patients friendly too. Dr. Norige is always pleasant.We get along well and he makes sure I am relaxed during my dental appointments.” –Kristine J.
“Dr. Norige and his staff are always friendly and helpful and go above and beyond to make your dental experience as pleasant as a dental experience should be for every patient. I have been a patient for years and couldn’t imagine anyone else being my dentist. I have referred him to many friends who are now longtime patients!” –Lorrie C. “I have not been to a dentist for many years and I was very nervous ... but that changed when we opened the door. Everyone was very friendly and outgoing. I was at ease getting my teeth cleaned and am not afraid see you all in six months!” –Brenda P. “I had a small chip in a filling, and Dr. Norige worked me into his schedule but also took the time to fix the chip quickly. I didn’t have to make another appointment to go in and wait.The front desk people are always very welcoming and friendly, and the hygienist was upbeat and
and teeth andType 2 diabetes. I had to undergo a lengthy scraping to get my teeth cleaned and a rigorous approach to getting my gums healthy again. Dr. Norige and Debbie, plus Heather, worked as a team over the years to get me to a place where I now have regular cleanings without novocaine or a topical. My gums are 100% better, and I am about to embark on a wisdom tooth removal procedure.What has helped calm my fears is the information and help I am receiving from SW Smiles in regards to pre- and post- surgery questions. (SW Smiles is not doing the removal but takes the X-rays and works closely with the dental office.) SW Smiles is also great with scheduling appointments around your schedule. I own a landscape company, so my appointments are difficult, as we work around the weather etc., but they always find a spot for me and also send out reminders and texts that make it easy to add to your calendar and as reminders.” –Christopher B. www . southwindsorsmiles . com
“So far, I am impressed. Dr. Norige has great bedside manner and the staff is very friendly and welcoming.The hygienist was knowledgeable and efficient.This appointment was a result of a less-than-positive experience at my current dentist’s office. I liked the way Dr. Norige gave me background info. He didn’t form an immediate conclusion but wanted to rule out the possibility of another cause before jumping in with a procedure. So far, I am very pleased and totally expect to be a new patient here.” –Terri K. “Mine is a tale of a person who, before coming to SW Smiles, let his teeth go for many, many years. And to make matters worse, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.When I was finally convinced to get my teeth and gums taken care of, I had no idea of the relationship between healthy gums
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