Lesson 6 113 Copyright 2018 Marline E. Pearson Introduce the idea of why fun is so important to healthy relationships: ❖ Having fun, believe it or not, is very important to healthy relationships. Doing enjoyable things together helps two people feel connected to each other. ❖ When two people have happy experiences to create a positive bond, it is easier to cope with irritations, problems of life, and stress. Having fun strengthens friendship—whether it’s romantic or just friends. Explain what often happens to fun in long-term relationships: ❖ Most couples start with fun as part of the relationship. As life gets busy, couples often let time for fun slip away. ❖ And, when there is some free time, it is easy to slide into watching a lot of TV shows, playing games on the computer, or going on social media. A decision could be made to spend some of that precious time having fun with a partner, friends, and family. ❖ There is nothing against TV or computer games, or social media, but it can be awfully easy to make them the major thing we do. ❖ Did you know research shows people are happiest when they are out doing things, spending time with others, or working on some hobby or interest? (PP) Divide into groups of three or four and announce there will be a three-minute competition. Each group is to brainstorm a list of ideas of fun things to do with a partner or friend according to these criteria: cost, time, and variety. Some ideas should be free, some should cost just a little, and others can cost more. Some fun ideas should take less than a half hour, an evening, all afternoon, the whole day, or longer. Tell them to mix it up and strive for variety, fun, and creativity. But they all must come up with some fun ideas that are free. (PP) When time is up, pass out Lots of Fun (Resource 6f, pg. 123). As groups report their ideas for fun, instruct participants to jot down the ones they like (and their own) on the sheet. Activity: Fun Brainstorm