Family Life (1949)

[Music] look there go the Millers again off for another day at Crystal Lake they're always having good times together wish my family were like that we never do anything never have the time neither do we you know so many people are asking how the Millers manag to have so much fun as a family what's the answer is it money or is it magic neither it's something they worked out together when they woke up to the fact that they wanted their family life to be fun who doesn't but how did they work it out to understand let's go back several months Lees drop on The Millers one Friday evening before they got wise to themselves mother you promised to have dinner ready at 6:00 I'm sorry Catherine I just didn't finish my other work in time oh well Dad's not home yet anyway nobody seems to care that I have a date at 7:00 you can still make it dear I'll do the dishes alone but you and Dad are going to the movies I'm too tired I did all the washing today and I cleaned your room too it really NE I meant to come home and clean it mother but after school there was me mother I can't wear these slacks tonight you said you'd press them I know Harold but I just didn't why don't you press him yourself say where's my racket in my closet I I broke it I meant to tell you you broke it and me with an important match tomorrow why didn't you get it fixed where would I get the money money mother I need a couple of dollars to take Mary out tonight I haven't any money Harold but you might have when he comes home fine thing dinner late tennis racket broken no money for a date and no pants to wear if this were our business we' go bankrupt but fast that night Mrs Miller was thinking about what Harold said if this family were a business in a way we are a business we have money to handle just as a business has yet we never make it last from one pay day to the next but that's not all we can't seem to manage isn't there a better way to manage ourselves wouldn't we all be happier if we worked out a little system for living together in harmony it's worth a try I called this first meeting of the Miller family to propose that we try to establish a definite program for managing our home so that we'll all get more out of it more fun more Leisure and more Harmony I'm certainly in favor of those things Harmony Leisure fun who isn't but how can we manage them we'll have to work out the full answer together but for a start I've made a list of points that will guide us one schedule two responsibilities three Privileges and four finances sounds impressive what do they mean how do they work well remember last Friday evening was nothing special we've had plenty of differences just like it I caused a good part of the trouble by not having dinner on time we need to make a definite schedule and stick to it so we can all make plans accordingly I can be more careful about coming home in time for dinner or phoning when I'm going to be late yes but then I didn't have dinner ready so I because you took time to clean my room that's something I should have done well that's my point uh privileges well responsibilities and privileges always go together if we accept responsibilities then we acquire certain privileges such as well such as I can think of one privilege of having your private rights respected such as having someone ask your permission when she wants to borrow your tennis racket that's a general idea now my fourth point is finances yes where are we going to get more money we don't you mean a budget well if we were a business wouldn't we have a plan for spending our money that does it well I'd like to suggest that we adjourn for now and all give this some serious thought and then get together for another meeting next Monday after dinner to discuss a plan for spending and and all these other matters good idea I'd like to have these family meetings every week after we've worked this out later on we can check up on how we're doing well it looks as though I really started something see Mom you're well that's how the Millers came to manage their home so it would be more fun does it really work these guides to home management can my family use them well let me give you a few Clues Take the matter of schedule here's a breakfast scene at the Millers quiet Easy by following a practical morning schedule they're already in time for school and work and in the evening mother has plenty of Pep left to entertain friends because by scheduling the work she does each day she saves herself from doing too much and when seasonal jobs are scheduled Harold is glad to help his father it doesn't happen that he has other important plans for the day of course this is also a matter of responsibilities which are divided up according to individual abilities and interests besides doing assigned jobs and caring for his own clothes and belongings each is responsible for being considerate of the others for instance putting things back where others expect to find them with responsibilities go privileges although the strength of the family lies in unity each member has individual rights the right to open his own mail the right of privacy to work alone undisturbed by loud noises in the house or by unwanted visitors and the right to have opinions respected this privilege the Millers protect in their family Council meetings let's listen now for a few pointers on the fourth guide to home management finances as you know our financial position has greatly improved during the 6 months we've been planning our spending instead of letting our money slip away from it however during the past 2 months what with Mother's operation and Catherine's dental work our medical expenses have been very heavy more than our budget could provide for so the question is where is the money going to come from well we could take our vacation money oh no that's a big thing we've been saving for well can't we find the money in some other account no not that much money maybe a little bit here and a little bit there well I I I don't know look that new electric mixer we' figured on buying I can do without that no mother you've been wanting that for so long wait a minute if Mother can do without her mixer I'll skip my new dress that is if mother will help me make over the one aunt Grace gave me of course I will dear well if that's the way I guess we can patch up the old seat covers in the car put off getting new ones until next spring sure thing and if I can get a little help with my jobs around here I got to be able to clear time to pick up some extra money working after the trick lies not in having the most have that's how the Millers are using good home management to achieve a happier family life now do you think they're successful looks good to me to help make your home a well-managed home [Music]