Citing recent research, child psychologist Dr. Robert Myers writing for Child Development Institute reminds parents that providing a supportive home environment and spending time just having fun together is an essential key to the mental health of children and adolescents. Indeed, encouraging and promoting healthy development, supporting learning, and practicing positive parenting are also important, but frequently having fun together boosts self-confidence, resiliency, and strong character.

In 2016, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) published Parenting Matters.  This exhaustive study states the sending time as a family playing, singing, reading, and talking are very important along with proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep.  

Similarly, the authors of Family Leisure Functioning: A Cross-National Study published in Leisure Sciences state, "Consistent and continued involvement in family leisure remains important to family cohesion, adaptability, functioning, and satisfaction with family life."

Finally,  the Search Institute has identified five types of positive family experiences, including (1) nurturing relationships, (2) establishing routines, (3) maintaining expectations, (4) adapting to challenges, and (5) connecting to the community can be strong predictors of quality of family life and resiliency. 

In his new book, The Well-Balanced Family: Reduce screen time and increase family fun, fitness, and connectedness, Dr. Myers focuses on four areas:  Connectedness, Open Communication, Healthy Living, and Organization.  The book provides practical advice and useful tools to help parents and children jointly engage in fun and healthy activities that improve the physical and mental health of all family members.  Tips for conducting family meetings and enriching the family mealtime experience are also provided.  Finally, ways to improve open communication, creative problem solving, and the use of mindfulness techniques are presented.