Seek out younger family members as soon as you get home. Familial companionship means a great amount to children. They will be especially excited to see you (and will likely be the most interested in whatever story you have to tell). Record stories that one of you find especially interesting or humorous. These recordings will have immense value later in your lives. Consider telling a story together. StoryCorps is an organization that records conversations - usually between family members cooperatively reflecting on an experience they shared - and stores these recordings in the Library of Congress. [2] X Research source There’s even an app for that!
Don’t feel as though a family meal must be formal or special. Emphasize the fact that you’re eating together, and that that’s what matters. Alternate types of food at home or try a new spot if you’re going out. Have a back-up plan. Don’t expect every family meal to go perfectly. When multiple people are involved, or you are depending on scenarios outside of your control, understand that time spent with family members may not go exactly as planned. Make light of unexpected hiccups in plans, and recall that the point of spending time together is the time together, not the plan.
Go bowling. Bowling a classic example of an activity that can appeal to all age groups. To keep older kids interested, keep track of high scores for each family member, and see if you all can beat your own personal record. Splitting into teams and scoring accordingly can increase feelings of cooperation and reduce competitiveness. Go see a movie. Lots of cities have discount movie theaters, or theatres that offer cheaper tickets on certain nights of the week. Be aware that discounted days may be busier, however. Stay in and play board games. Depending on ages and interests, there are literally thousands of games to choose from. Go for a group hike. Sunlight, fresh air, and light exercise are not only healthy for your body, they’re great for your mind and familial comradery too.
Attend children’s events together as a family. The participant will feel your family’s support, and everyone can talk about interesting or humorous moments afterwards. Siblings in particular can bond over shared interests in organized activities. A brother or sister (or parent!) that has previously participated in similar organized activities can practice with a younger member of the family and speak with them about the challenges and enjoyment of those activities. [6] X Expert Source Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RDLicensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949), Registered Dietitian, & Fitness Expert Expert Interview. 6 October 2021. Limit unorganized extracurricular activities. One of the reasons it can be hard to find time together is that kids often end up with many opportunities outside of the home. Don’t allow extracurricular activities to take priority to the happiness and wellbeing of your family.
Be flexible in the execution of your rituals. [7] X Research source If you go the same pizza shop once a month, and they happen to be closed on a day you try to go, don’t let it derail the evening, or the ritual. Try another pizza spot. Let your family rituals develop naturally! Don’t work too much! Work is a major reason that kids don’t get enough time with their parents. This is especially true for fathers and teens. Too many hours at the office or out of town prevents your family’s ability to develop and maintain healthy, fun rituals. Do not let your job overshadow your family.
One of the best ways to stay calm is simply pausing for a few moments and taking several deep, slow breaths. This not only provides a physiological defense against anger, is also gives you a chance to evaluate your response to the situation. Take a peek at the article How To Control Your Temper if you find yourself becoming agitated with regularity. [11] X Expert Source Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RDLicensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949), Registered Dietitian, & Fitness Expert Expert Interview. 6 October 2021. Don’t try to work out disagreements with your spouse in front of your kids. If you do have an argument in front of your kids, explain that it was just a disagreement and that everything is alright. [12] X Research source
Reflect on what you are grateful for about your family, what you like about a certain family member, or the concept of patience. Remind yourself that it is within your capacity to nurture the relationships you take part in.
Compliment each other. Don’t just compliment your family members when it seems they’re down. Convey the positive thoughts you have about each other as the thoughts arise. Remind your spouse how attracted you are to them when they change their hairstyle or get a new jacket. Even better, mention your attraction out of nowhere. Tell your family members you believe in them. If one of your family members is stressing about school or work, tell them you have faith in them. Tell them you’re proud of them when they reach achievements they’ve been working towards.
Take a step back. Since many family members often inevitably spend a lot of time together, whether intentionally or by nature of proximity, it can sometimes be helpful to spend time apart. Everyone – not just the kids – should involve themselves in some sort of activity outside of the home with some regularity. Talk to someone else. If there is something you cannot talk to a family member about that is bothering you, talk to someone else. The important thing is to express concerns constructively. A friend, counselor, therapist, or doctor can help you deal with uncertainties or concerns about your own life or something happening in your family. Don’t allow personal conflicts or concerns to negatively affect the relationships you have with family members. See a family counselor. If your family is having a significant amount of trouble maintaining healthy relationships and you or other members of your family are unhappy, consider getting help. Re-assure yourself and your family members that there is nothing wrong with seeing a counselor, and that doing so will strengthen your relationships with one another. [15] X Expert Source Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RDLicensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949), Registered Dietitian, & Fitness Expert Expert Interview. 6 October 2021.
Share what you appreciate about what you do for another. Thank each other for attending one another’s events or obligations. Thank each other when you’re there for one another. This doesn’t require a long or dramatic conversation, simply say thank you for the acts and behaviors you appreciate.
Be explicit. Use short, direct statements. It’s always helpful to say positive things like, “We can figure out a way to handle this that works for everyone” or even, “We’re in this together. ” Alternatively, be clear about what you need by saying things like, “I’d feel more comfortable with _______,” or “I don’t like it when _______. ” Do not allow negative emotions to build. Never maintain silence simple to “keep the peace. ” This will lead to larger issues in the future. If your family goes through a major life change, such as a new member in the family, a loss, or a significant move, be especially aware of the greater need for open communication in periods of transition.
Avoid contentious statements or language that might escalate a conversation. In particular, avoid beginning statements with accusations. Instead of, “You always _______,” try “I’m frustrated that this keeps happening,” and go on to explain why you are unhappy with the situation.
Maintain eye contact. Don’t interrupt. Watch your body language. Ensure that you’re conveying respect and genuine interest in what your family member has to say by sitting or standing attentively, and facing towards them.
When a child or sibling becomes especially frustrated at a situation outside of their control, be there for them. Wait for them to calm down and then encourage them to talk about how they felt. Speaking with one another about how anger develops can help us learn how to control our emotions. Talk about sexuality and bodily awareness with young children early and often. This actually encourages responsible sexual decisions later on (and does not encourage promiscuity). [22] X Research source This can also diminish the need to have an intimidating, dramatic talk about sex someday.
