5 Simple Tips For Stronger Family Relationships
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We can all (understandably) be very busy with our own lives, pursuing such hobbies as going to music gigs and working out as well as, of course, doing our paid jobs on a day-to-day basis.
However, our schedules can become so packed that we fail to set aside enough time to spend with family members.
Basically, the people who are especially precious to us can end up getting taken for granted.
Fortunately, there are various simple ways for you to boost family bonds.
Show more appreciation to your family
You might love your family, but how often do you express this love to them in words and actions?
Even just occasional, small gestures of appreciation to relatives can make a big difference.
Those gestures you do make could include presenting a loved one with a gift, offering to help them out, or making a commitment you follow through with.
Even if you don’t feel wholly positive about your family, you could thank them for just one positive action or quality of theirs for which you are grateful.
Support loved ones in both good and bad times
Is one of your relatives preparing for something special on their schedule?
Perhaps they are about to run a charity marathon or attend a job interview.
Whatever it is, cheer them on in their planning.
If the special event in question then goes awry, be there physically and emotionally to console them — and encourage them to get back up on their feet in the hope of better success next time.
P.S.
You might think about giving children a keepsake that will encourage them to do the right thing.
This is especially true if you think they might need a little help and support in learning from their mistakes.
If you’re religious, this can be in the form of the Armor of God 4-week Bible study, designed specifically to guide kids in making wise choices in the face of temptation.
It is something you can use to demonstrate to your children the importance of always doing the right thing.
Eat with the rest of your family
Psychotherapist Sharon Martin explains on her website Live Well with Sharon Martin: “Many studies have shown that adolescents are happier and better adjusted in families who regularly eat dinner together.”
What if you don’t have kids?
You can still benefit mentally from sitting down with your family at the dinner table to eat while chatting with everyone else there about how your day has been.
Play board games together
This is such a great bonding exercise that Body+Mind recommended it during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of sating a desire for human contact.
As this was at a time before high COVID-19 vaccination rates, the site did responsibly urge its readers not to play a board game with any COVID-infected member of the household.
Now, though, there is far less excuse not to consider various board games available to buy online.
Help family members to upgrade their communication tech
The rise of the smartphone is one historical development that has doubtless made it easier for many people to intuitively keep in close contact with each other.
Still, how well any smartphone works can depend very much on the technology built into it.
Hence, if any of your relatives are hamstrung as a result of hanging onto dated tech, you could help them to choose and buy something much more up-to-date — especially if you are much more tech-savvy than they are.
They could easily appreciate you giving them your expert advice!
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