How to strengthen family bond
In recent times, family time has taken the backseat in most families thanks to the hustle and bustle of modern-day living. This is a huge blow to most people because a family should provide, love, care and warmth to its members. In other words, a good family is the one which gives its members the support they need to concur even the most difficult situations in life.
If someone doesn’t feel appreciated in the family, they may end up feeling miserable and this can affect their work performance and how they relate with other people out there. Therefore, family bonds should be taken seriously because they have a great impact on someone’s life.
But do you know strengthening family bond can still be achieved even when dealing with busy schedules? There are so many minute things you can do right in your home to build and strengthen your family bond. Although a family vacation is a brilliant idea to bring family members closer to each other, it is not the only option. Don’t let your family bond get worse just because you don’t have time and money to go for a family trip. Your family can still flourish even without going for an expensive holiday vacation.
These days, due to busy work schedules, people have less time to spend with their loved ones. Of course, bills have to be paid. Food and other necessities have to be provided. You cannot just stay home with your family members in the name of strengthening the family bond and fail to provide for their needs especially if you are the sole breadwinner. And even if you aren’t, we all must go out and find something to do. Laziness shouldn’t be confused with spending time with family.
Ways to strengthen family relationships
You don’t need to have hundreds or thousands of dollars to strengthen your family bond. Money has nothing to do with building strong family ties that lasts for a lifetime. Your desire and will power are. So, if you are looking for ways to strengthen your family, here are ways that can help you do just that. You don’t have to practice all of them to get results. And again, every family setup is different. Choose the ones you are sure will be suitable for your family setup and give them a try.
Encourage good communication
A family cannot stay together if they don’t have open lines of communication. It’s the only way all family members will feel heard and respected. Family members need to up their game when it comes to communication. They need to increase their listening skills so that when they talk, they can hear each other.
If you want to increase your listening skills and that of your other family members, make it a routine to give the other person your undivided attention. If you were watching the TV, switch it off or pause whatever you are doing and listen to what they have to say. This is meant to show them they are important and whatever they are saying matter to you. Since they will find the trait respectful, you will soon realize they are also doing the same when you are talking to them or to each other.
When a person is talking to you, even if whatever they are saying is annoying, don’t focus too much on your feelings and the response you are going to give but rather on what the person is telling you. Resist the urge to say anything until you are pretty sure you’ve understood what the other person is trying to tell you. Further, when talking to each other, use ‘’I’’ statement instead of ‘’you’’ and teach other family members to adopt the same connotation.
Encourage your family members to be open
Create an environment that encourages all family members young and old to share their thoughts and feelings without the fear of discrimination. Family members feel special and respected if they are allowed to share their thoughts and ideas. As long as they are doing so in an appropriate way, then no one should be shunned from sharing their mind. This way, it will be easier for family members to know the problems they are going through as a family and how to salvage the situation.
Spend time together
It’s difficult to have a strong family bond if you hardly spend time together as a family. Families who want to keep their families intact spend time together as often as they can. It doesn’t have to be someone’s birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion for family members to spend time together. While such events are great in bringing loved ones together, they should be treated as the only moments families can spend time together.
Look for various interesting ways you can engage your family members may be during the weekends or evening after work. The list is limitless. From taking a walk, making dinner together, watching a moving to playing board games. You just can’t lack something to do with your family members. You can even decide to be eating out together on a specific day. In that case, choose a day that everyone is comfortable with depending on their daily schedules so that no one feels left out.
Be appreciative and kind
Family members who are kind and appreciative to each other have a very strong bond that is difficult to break. It is one of the best ways a family can use to strengthen its relationship and connection. If you are the head of the family, lead by example. Appreciate others and promote kindness. Also, encourage other family members to do the same. If these are traits that have not been there and you are just introducing them, then you need to be patient. They just can’t sink in people’s characters right away. Give them time but don’t relax. Persist until you notice some positive changes.
Focus on individual relationships
Before you even think about strengthening family bonds, focus more on individual relationships. For couples, before you think about the children, think about the relationship you share with your spouse. If some areas require rectification, work on them first. When things get better you can now involve the kids and other family members. Otherwise, it’s irrational to think about the extended family if the nuclear family relationship is wanting.
Build a strong family bond
There are so many advantages of maintaining a strong family bond and this point cannot be emphasized enough. Strong families are able to solve their conflicts even before they get out of control and even work together to better each other. Although disagreements are there in every family, a family with a strong bond can handle its conflicts fairly. While other families are busy focusing on putting each down, a strong family will focus more on the problem and how to resolve it.
