By Eliza Ferree

The school year is almost over now and you are all hurrying to get things done but do you know what's been going on with your child? Maybe you've been working late? Your child is in sports and not home much? Your teens are hanging out with their friends? You and your spouse work different hours?

I've heard married couples complain that they don't have the time to go out after work. They get irritated with each other because they don't spend time. They either work too much or have different schedules and can never catch one another.

Parents complain that their children are never home because they are out with their friends and don't come in until dinner time. Of course we all know once dinner is done it is normally bath and bed so there isn't much family time there either. If you have a child or children in sports it can get even more hectic around the house. Sure you'll have time with them as you drive them to their games or practices but you are normally watching the road.

Something that has worked here is Movie Night! Movie Night? Yes, Movie night is when you choose a night out of the week that not everyone is busy and rent movies. Some of you may decide to go out to the movies however you don't NEED to do that.

Go down to your local movie rental place and grab a few new releases from the shelf. Make sure you get something for everyone.

No this does not mean that if you have five people in the family you have to get five movies. But try going with the styles. Maybe you have two young ones, okay grab a cartoon or something pg related. My son always loved Big Daddy and it wasn't a cartoon but he'd watch it over and over and adults like it as well.

If you have someone that likes suspense shows then grab a few, one I just recently saw was Cellular and that was pretty quick paced. Course it made me wonder if cell phones were a good thing after all. I'm the type of person that really hates them, especially when someone is driving and talking on one. U-turn was another good suspense show, but this gets really freaky too.
Maybe someone likes war like or fantasy, whichever styles you should know and the movie rental will have plenty to choose from. Just remember not to get just your type. I myself am a hopeless romantic but that doesn't mean my husband is going to want to stick around for Steel Magnolias and I'm probably not going to want to watch Xmen.

Compromise or get one of each so you both can watch a movie together.

Don't forget movie night should have snack foods, popcorn, nachos or candy galore. This can be a real quick thing before a movie. Prepare it in dishes and lay it on the table in front of ya'll.

Now you are all set to watch your movie, the only thing missing is the two of you, or your family in the living room. Hurry and make it a family tradition.