

The joy of being a “living room family”: when sharing becomes an art of living
30 January, 2025
In our hyperconnected world, true happiness is often found in the simplest moments. Our family discovered this truth almost by accident, through a choice that might seem strange today: living without a television. Our only daily encounter with a screen is STAT, which we watch together on our laptops. The show brings our family of nine together, creating a shared space where conversations emerge naturally around important topics: homelessness, the realities of trans people, diverse family dynamics, aging, and patient-loved ones.
Picture the scene: a family of nine huddled in front of a single laptop. A loveseat overflowing, children sitting on floor cushions, another perched on the back. It may not be the conventional image of modern comfort, but these moments create a unique closeness. Unwittingly, our lack of television has transformed us into what is affectionately known as a “living room family.”
What is a “living room family”?
The concept, popularized on TikTok, refers to families who naturally gather in common spaces. Unlike “bedroom families” where everyone isolates themselves in their room with their devices, “living room families” favor sharing a central space, usually the living room.
This approach encourages spontaneous interactions, impromptu conversations, and creates an environment where children feel safe and welcome. Clutter—toys scattered, coloring books on the table—becomes a sign of a lively home rather than a problem to be hidden.
The realities of a “living room family”
Becoming a “living room family” depends on many factors: parents’ irregular work schedules, children’s extracurricular activities, special needs of family members. In our case, we made the conscious choice to limit fixed activities, both during the week and on weekends, to encourage these moments of gathering.
Adolescence brings its own challenges. We see a growing need for solitude in our teens. Our evening routine has naturally adapted: just as the little ones and we go to bed early (around 8:30), the older ones enjoy quiet time before bed. This structure encourages them to spend time with their family earlier in the evening, knowing that they will have their quiet time.
A typical evening in our “living room family”
Our family dynamic is structured around a well-established routine. School drop-offs are between 3:45 p.m. for the youngest and 4:45 p.m. for the teenagers. Each child goes through their own after-school routine: putting away clothes, managing lunch boxes, doing tasks in Octave and practicing the piano. During this time, I work in my office until 5 p.m., with the youngest, aged 2 and 4, naturally gravitating around their elders.
Meal preparation begins at 5 p.m., when the family begins to converge on our common space. Dinner, served around 5:45 p.m., becomes a transitional moment. Our open layout, where the living room and dining room meet, allows children who finish early to play nearby, thus maintaining family connection.
The post-meal period perfectly illustrates our “living room family” dynamic. While Philippe and I enjoy tea in the living room, the children freely navigate between the games room and the common area. This natural flow continues until our STAT viewing ritual at 7 p.m. During the show, I prepare our evening snack: a fruit and cheese platter that we all share together. The evening ends with a staggered bedtime until 8:30 a.m., each of us concluding our day with a moment of reading in our room.
What promotes our “living room family”
1. A participatory routine
Daily tasks take place in common areas, naturally encouraging family presence. This active participation in domestic life limits withdrawal into bedrooms.
2. Screen management
We limit screen time to specific times: our family TV time and a set time for online conversations with friends.
3. The piano as an anchor point
Located in our family room, the piano has become more than just a learning instrument. For some of our children, it is now a hobby that naturally enlivens our common space.
4. Acceptance of disorder
Our living room is a testament to an active life: games and toys are scattered across the floor during the evening. Although everything is tidied up before bedtime, we accept this "life" that expresses itself through temporary disorder.
5. Noise tolerance
Teasing between siblings creates a lively atmosphere. Without compromising mutual respect, we welcome these moments of exuberance that are part of our family dynamic.
6. The pleasure of interactions
Conversations, questions, and sharing stories are part of our family DNA. Teasing and physical play, especially with Philippe, create spontaneous moments of togetherness. A simple shout of “Let’s get Daddy!” is enough to bring the whole family together in a joyous melee.
7. The snack ritual
The fruit and cheese platter that accompanies STAT has become an anticipated moment. This simple habit helps keep the family gathering going in the evening.
8. Shared and open rooms
The sharing of rooms and the absence of strict restrictions on their access create a particular dynamic. When the children are not in the living room, they often find themselves together in one or the other's room. This fluidity in the use of spaces has been established naturally, without imposed rules, strengthening family ties even in the most intimate moments.
Conclusion: A resolution that transforms
Family happiness is not measured by the size of our screen or the sophistication of our living room. It is cultivated in those moments of closeness, in those shared laughs, in those impromptu discussions that arise naturally when we are truly present for each other.
Creating these moments of connection doesn’t require expensive equipment or complex planning. It just requires being there, really there. In a world where technology constantly invites us to isolate ourselves, choosing to be together becomes a daily act of love that strengthens our family bonds.
Perhaps true happiness lies there: in those simple moments when we consciously choose to be present, to listen, to share. It is in this simplicity that the most precious memories are woven, that the most authentic connections are built. Because in the end, it is not so much what we watch that matters, but with whom we share it.
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