Franklin Tennessee: Family Fun and Family Counseling?
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
by Judy Stevens
self
We make a trip every couple of weeks to Franklin, Tennessee for fun activities which included so many resources Franklin offers. Our family, however, integrated that trip into a visit with our Family Counseling.
Many families go to Franklin Tennessee because it is a hot spot for shopping, great places to eat and family activities but our family chooses to go there for our bi-weekly Family counseling (counsilling) sessions. While you may think it odd for a family to plan a trip around their counseling sessions, let me first explain what led us up to that point.
Shopping to me was not so much a way to spend more money, a sore subject between my husband and myself. It was a way to dream, unwind, imagine, see what's new, and get an understanding of what is available. It is something that gives me joy whether I buy anything or not. Something my husband could not understand.
My husband wanted to go to just appease me.
He wanted to go just to make me happy, but the whole time I could feel his boredom, his desire to be on the golf course or out working in the garden.
The kids all wanted to NOT go because of most of their friends wouldn't be there.
I don't need to go further with this. My kids were not only bored, they had really rather stay home, watch TV, or play video games. If they went outside, swimming at a friend's house was more likely. What on earth could they do in Franklin Tn, walking around the outdoor shopping areas, driving around looking at mansions, or visiting civil war memorials and museums? This sounded more like a history class to them.
So basically, we all had our reasons to go and none of them were to go to spend a good time with each other. But one thing we could do, we all could agree on one activity we enjoyed in Franklin, and that was eating.
Finally, half the day over, we went to one of the many restaurants Franklin has to offer. It was fun, we were famished and it was something we could all reach an agreement on.
While waiting on our table, we ran into a seemingly happy family we knew and they all seemed to be having a peaceful and enjoyable time together. Imagine that. I may sound cynical but it was true!
The Reynolds's family was friends of ours. Our son's played on the same ball team and the daughter's had been in some classes they shared. But the family didn't seem bored or cranky like us. They seemed to engage in conversation and laughed a lot. Every one of them was having fun and, not just the father and son or mother and daughter but all of them!
What was the difference?
I couldn't pin point the difference. They seemed energetic while we were tired and bored. When asked what brought them to the little town of Franklin they said something that took us by surprise.
They were there to go to their "Franklin Family Counselor", and laughed as they realized how ludicrous it sounded. Now I really was curious.
What could a family counselor in Franklin be of worth, or what could one do to make them seem like they were enjoying the trip? They shared that it was by accident one of the best times of their week. They have face to face conversations and have a chance to appreciate one another. All of them. The kids all feel more involved, like their voice counts. They get to talk about dreams and make decisions and they all get to share what they want to do with their lives, what direction they are heading and how fast they can work together to get there. It seemed more like a family challenge rather than a chore or dreaded task!
So, choosing from several of the professional counselors in Franklin, we also joined the club. Now, for over 2 years, every other week, we make it our best trip and once again we are enthused to see what unfolds.
We see our kids thinking in more of a mature way, thinking of others rather than themselves. We also use this time to share things we just keep inside, and it has become more of a pep rally than what once was a football game.
Franklin Tennessee may be a small community on the outskirts of Williamson county, but it does offer so many professional services available to everyone. They also have a plifera of medical doctors and other unusual things most towns are not well known for.
While it may seem a funny thing to do, when we go to Franklin for our family counseling hour, we now realize it is such a wonderful hour spent. We focus on each other, our conversations are guided toward issues we seem to overlook, we learn things about ourselves and we basically learn to have fun all over again.
Chuck Sugar is a family counselor in Brentwood Tn, right around the corner from Franklin, TN. He would love for your family to find the positive attributes you all share, and to start you back on the road to enjoying one another. Go to : for more information
http://www.chucksugar.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Judy,This is a wonderful story to lend inspiration and hope for many of your readers. I lived in Brentwood, TN for a few years, and found surrounding areas of Nashville held great natural beauty, and some fun attractions for families. Glad you were able to find a source of happiness so that your family can really enjoy the beauty of a place your family enjoys.Thanks for sharing this with us.thank you so much Ronya, I am pretty new at searchwarp but appreciate all of the comments I receive! Any help you can give me to get my articles rated highly would be a great blessing! Thanks again, judyWell, thank you, Judy for accepting 'constructive criticism' [not that I gave any-yet]; it's not many that accept that we all are here to help one another.Stay Blessed.
Hi Judy.Thank you for a very interesting and informative article. I enjoyed reading it and learned how to have positive and open attitude toward one another.Thank you for sharing.Blessings,NenitaAgain, thank you for your kind comments and taking the time to read my article. I reallllly appreciate it. I also love this site. Thanks for your words of positive affirmation. God bless,
Judy
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