Strengthening Family Relationships.....

“A family that prays together stays together, and a family that talks together builds a closer relationship together.”

4 major ways of strengthening family relationships:

1. IMPROVE FAMILY COMMUNICATION

a) Create the opportunity

Plan times to talk casually with your children and have them respond. Ask questions about them and their schoolwork, for example, and give them opportunities to contribute. Note opportunities where you can involve them in discussion. It could be during meal-times, when you are out on a family walk together, or when you tuck them into bed after reading a story. Even television hours could be wisely turned into a family talking hour about the program the family is watching.

b) Create the right atmosphere

Parents need to create a conducive atmosphere for children to want to talk to them. The following suggestions could be helpful:

•be interested in what your child says
•listen to the message and do not interrupt
•establish eye contact
•focus on the positives rather than the negatives
•correct them lovingly
•talk calmly instead of impatiently

2. SPEND TIME TOGETHER IN FAMILY ACTIVITIES

It is extremely important that children be given a sense of unity and belonging as members of the family. Example: participating in the planning and organizing of family activities such as cleaning the house, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, going on a family outing at the Park.

Such family activities are anchor points of growing up. Children develop warm feelings about these special times during their early years. They draw them close to their parents, their home and their siblings.

3. DEAL WITH CRISES POSITIVELY

Even the happiest families have problems. But if family members learn how to cope with conflicts, they can live with each other more effectively. When a crisis come, parents together with their children should try to work out a solution as a team. If there were angry feelings, family members can learn to settle their differences by suggesting a better way of coping with such frustrations.

If the children are older, they can help share the burden by proposing alternative solutions to the problems. Family members who pull through crises together become stronger in their commitment to each other.

4. SHOW APPRECIATION FOR EACH OTHER

When family members take time to write little notes of appreciation or thanks to each other, family ties are strengthened. Parents can show appreciation through an occasional kind word such. Example: “Johnny, thanks for keeping your room clean today. You really helped lighten mommy’s work.”

A husband who goes on an overseas trip and sends back cards to tell his wife he is thinking of her, is strengthening that feeling of appreciation and love in him and in her.

Children who grow up in homes where they are respected, appreciated and listened to communicate better with their families. They are generally happier and more self-confident.