Set the mood for family night

As a family, pick a mood you'd like to create for an evening. It could be casual, such as movie night with movie-star handbills and fresh popcorn, or formal, such as a candlelit dinner with placecards and a fancy dessert. Or create a summer swim party in the middle of your living room by turning up the heat and telling everyone to wear bathing suits.

Plan the evening together. Decide what needs to be done, and who will do it. When the evening arrives, make sure everyone cooperates. Plan an evening like this once in a while so each family member gets to pick a new mood.

Source: "365 Ways to Raise Great Kids," by Sheila Ellison and Barbara Ann Barnett, Sourcebooks, Inc.