“Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life” (Proverbs 22:6,GNT).

     One of my greatest regrets as a parent is that I didn’t say “no” enough to the requests made of me as a pastor. If given a second chance to raise my kids, I would have declined more of the speaking engagements outside of my congregation or the invitations to golf with colleagues and friends. Unfortunately, I learned too late that saying yes to some was a simultaneous manner of saying no to others, especially my family.

     I also wish I had said “no” more often to the requests made of my children. Families are under enormous pressure to avoid FOMO: the fear of missing out. As parents, we want to expose our children to as many positive life experiences as possible. School plays, scouting trips, select travel teams, and dance lessons are but a sampling of the many opportunities that beckon our kid’s participation.

     Yet the parents I most admire are those who prioritize relationship over experience. They value more the prospects of being together to deepen their connections with one another while resisting the inclination to run in separate directions. These families find ways to consistently invest quality time with each other regardless of how old their children grow.

     Hollywood actress, Jada Pinkett Smith says, “It’s very important to prioritize. I know, for me, my family comes first. That makes every decision very easy.” Spending time with family can come in small installments of time. Eating together at the dinner table at least four times a week. Taking a bike ride through a local park. Hosting a family game and pizza night twice a month. Praying corporately as a family each night before bedtime.

     These investments of time spent with one another ultimately will pay big dividends. The bond of love between parents and children will be strengthened. Individual family members will build greater levels of confidence and contentment. A concerted dedication to enjoying life together also will assist parents in passing along healthy spiritual habits to their children that will endure for a lifetime.

     The writer of Proverbs 22:6 encourages all parents to “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life” (GNT). And when it comes to teaching, the best lessons are more often caught than taught. What you do with your children will speak even greater volumes than anything you might say—particularly when the word to someone else is “no.”