Do you at times feel as if your family is not as together
as it should be?
If that’s the case in your household, are you working to
bring your family together? If not, are you worried that you may never have that
feeling once again (if ever) of a true family unit under one roof?
For millions of families worldwide, there is something
lacking when it comes to being a cohesive unit.
Whether it is the result of not spending enough time
together or possibly a situation where there are too many conflicting
personalities under one roof, the family quickly disintegrates into a focus of
individualism.
That said don’t throw in the towel when it comes to
bringing your family closer together.
Although it certainly can be trying, there are ways to
make your family love and support one another more than ever in the past.
Quality
and Quantity of Time Together
So that your family can spend more quality time together,
keep in mind these four tips:
1. Commitment
– First and foremost, it is important for everyone to commit to spending more
time together. Yes, parents are busy with work, kids are busy with school and
their friends etc. but those are still not relevant excuses to ditch the family
all the time. For example, when was the last time you had a true sit-down meal
together? Unfortunately, some families need time to even think about the answer
to that question. Although it should come naturally to want to be together,
take some time at the beginning of the month to plan out family activities, be
they dinners, outings to events etc. By making a commitment to spend quality
time together, you won’t keep pushing the family more apart;
2. Parents
– Whether you like it or not, being a parent means setting an example for your
children. With that being the case, it is imperative that you show your
children how important family ties truly are. In a speech last fall to bishops
in Vatican City, Pope
Francis hit on the importance of families, noting all the good
families bestow in the world. Sure, not all families do the right thing when it
comes to living their lives as best they can towards themselves and others, but
your family can be different. Set
a good example for your children to follow by always being
there for one another, helping out others in your neighborhood and community,
and spending quality time together.
Make
Family Time Fun Time
3. Entertainment
– Whether you are a first-time parent or have multiple kids, you likely have
heard it from other parents. That feeling of how difficult it is to get the
kids involved in most family activities. Sure, taking the kids to the zoo or a
playground usually doesn’t take much effort. When it comes to going to church,
spending time with outside relatives, even sitting around the TV to watch a
show or movie that can be like pulling teeth at times. Do your best to give
your kids (and yourself for that matter) a wide array of entertainment options.
Make sure the kids (as they get older and can make such decisions) have a say
in what you will do as a family one or two days or nights a week. When kids
feel like they’re part of the decision making process, you stand a much better
chance of having a cohesive unit;
4. Help
– Finally, always be
there for one another when one member of the team is going through
a tough time. Whether it is a child dealing with bullying, a parent having
stress in the workplace or an illness, families should always come together
when one is hurting. By showing one another that you truly do care for how each
other feels, the bonds of a strong family are almost impossible to break.
As a family, what are you doing to have more time
together, time that ultimately turns your family into one of true love and
friendship?
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