If it makes you happy

Finding ways to connect as a family isn't easy, but this worked for us.

Good morning, and happy start-of-the-week to you.

As a family we live a busy life. I say that but we also spend an inordinate amount of time on our screens. On our own.

So why not ‘screen together’?

Last night we had a moment thanks to Happy Gilmore 2.

Let’s face it - it’s a pretty dumb movie.

Lots of celebrity cameo appearances prop up a paper thin script full of holes.

The original was exactly that - original. This sequel is basically a repeat performance that needed flashbacks to the first movie selectively edited into it just so we got all the references.

But Adam Sandler plays his usual heart-not-very-smart goofball that is hard not to like, particularly this time around as he’s a Dad to five kids.

No spoilers here but after 2 hours there were lots of laughs, groans, and shouts of ‘oh god' when you could see the joke coming all the way down the fairway.

It was an interesting exercise in family time.

Mrs Kingsley laughed the loudest and generally had the best time.

Mr 15 was happy to start it, leave the couch, go to his room, come back, go back to his room, and joined for the final credits.

Miss 13 started sitting next to me, then leaning against me, and ended up pretty much under my arm.

But the best thing of all is we all watched the one screen.

I can see there was temptation from all of us having our mobile phones within arms reach to look up who that cameo was, or check in with the news, or instagram.

Aside from a half-time toilet and cup of tea break, personal screens were put down and the shared screen took priority.

Live sport is other main shared screen experience, but we are also looking at our personal second screens at the same time.

The scheduling of the Sunday Night Movie on free-to-air TV is long gone, but the ritual doesn’t have to be.

After a busy weekend, dedicating almost 120 minutes to enjoy together - even at something silly - is a good investment in a shared memory.

Next Sunday: we’re going back to Austin Powers. It’s been at least 12 months between screenings. The jokes don’t age, but I can see so vividly that the kids currently living under our roof do.

Creating a memory of a Sunday night movie is something I want them both to take with them.

See you next Monday Morning,

Wade