If there’s one important gift parents can give their kids, it’s the gift of a loving and happy family. Healthy family relationships play an important role in a child’s well-balanced growth and development. Even as kids eventually develop relationships outside their family, nothing compares to the ones they have with their parents and family members. Family influences the very core of an individual; their values, character, outlook, and more.
Importance of a good family relationship
While it’s not always easy to nurture a good family relationship, parents should make it a priority to create a warm and caring environment at home – the kind of environment that fosters love and security among all family members.
Read on and learn ways to forge deeper and stronger family ties.
- It makes children feel loved and secure which is important in their emotional development.
- It helps manage children’s behavior and addresses issues related to sleeping, eating, and learning.
- It makes every member of the family feel accepted, protected and loved, despite flaws and imperfections.
- It helps children build stronger bonds outside the home.
- It helps a person deal with adversities and challenges, and makes stress more manageable.
- It lays the foundation for a strong value system
- It builds a child’s self-esteem and confidence, which are essential in their future success.
How to build a good family relationship
No two families are alike but there are some helpful steps you can take to further strengthen your family ties.
Spend quality time
The importance of quality time in forming strong bonds as a family cannot be discounted. As parents, we play different roles and wear different hats. We barely seem to have enough time for everything on a daily basis. But no matter how much you have on your plate and no matter how busy you are, be sure to always try to carve out time for your family.
Set aside at least an hour or two each day for family time. If you can’t have lunch together, then be sure you share dinner together. Use mealtime to let everyone share the highlights of their day, tell fun stories and catch up with each other.
Foster good communication among family members
Families living in harmony share one thing in common – good communication.
Be approachable when your spouse or your child reaches out to you to express something. Listen intently and give them your full attention. Also, encourage them to do the same. Even if the discussion involves some negative stuff, be open for a conversation and don’t avoid discussing difficult things.
It is through open communication that important family matters are addressed and the right expectations are set. More importantly, this is how parents can also relay and express their love for their kids.
Appreciate each family member
A good family relationship is nurtured by appreciating and celebrating each member.
While it’s important that we accept and embrace each other’s faults and quirks, also let your family know they are appreciated. Make it a habit to thank them even for the tiniest things they’ve done. Be generous with compliments, leave a thank you note, remind them they are loved and use occasional rewards.
Celebrate each other’s strengths but don’t forget to also acknowledge and help them overcome weaknesses.
Give clear boundaries
A happy family is one where love and respect abound.
That doesn’t mean letting them get away with anything they want. Sometimes tough love is what’s most needed.
Establish clear boundaries and set family rules to make sure every member understands what is expected of them. Set expectations on how each one should behave and treat one another.
Set a positive example
There’s no better way to teach kids good behavior and right values than by setting an example for them to emulate. Parents can go all day reminding their children about behaving appropriately but all of it will make no sense if the kids do not see that in action.
If you teach your little one about kindness, make sure you’re also exhibiting kindness to other people. If you teach them about healthy eating, make sure they see you’re avoiding junk and going for healthy meals yourself.
Building a strong family relationship doesn’t come easy. But with careful nurturing, you’ll be able to create a bond that can surpass all odds in life.
For more helpful parenting tips or if you’re looking for the best quality preschool for your little one, please visit Launchpad Early Education.