As hectic as family life may be sometimes, there are so many moments of joy we share with our families that make it easy to forget about small disagreements or meaningless arguments. That being said, creating a positive and functional environment for our family to thrive in takes time, patience, and effort, but the end results make it worth our while. With that in mind, there are a couple of things every family should know in order to create an environment where it can grow together. Scroll on to learn what they are.
Introducing positive discipline
While many families tend to think about discipline as a way of punishing children, it doesn’t have to do with threats and negative behavior. Although the word discipline is nowadays used as a synonym for punishment and has a negative connotation, there is one method that helps revert the essence of the word back to its roots. The word itself comes from Latin and its original meaning is teaching, and the method that makes use of this approach to discipline is positive discipline. In essence, positive discipline denotes an objective approach of parents to their children’s behavior, centered around the claim that ‘there are no bad kids, just bad behavior’. Therefore, if a child does something wrong, the solution is not to point out their mistakes and bad behavior, but to show them how they can make things right and set everything straight. Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn, be empathic and respectful, and set boundaries so that the mistakes don’t repeat.
Building healthy eating habits starts at home
Just like introducing discipline takes time, building healthy eating habits isn’t something that happens overnight. Children learn from their surroundings and people they spend the most time with, so it’s up to parents to show what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle and be good role models. Use your actions to send a message – try some healthy recipes, reach for healthy snacks, and ask your kids to give you a hand when preparing a meal. Assign them with simple tasks and let them help somehow even if it’s something as simple as measuring out the ingredients. Also, take them grocery shopping and ask them to give suggestions for a weekly meal plan. This will help them form healthy eating habits in childhood and set them up for success health-wise.
Taking good care of your family’s health is crucial
Aside from introducing healthy eating habits, another way to preserve your family’s health is to make sure you’ve got a good health insurance plan. Having health insurance is a necessity that can help set your mind at ease since you won’t have to worry about medical expenses eating into your savings in case of an emergency. Considering how most of us don’t have much time to do research on our own, it’d be a good idea to use services for health insurance comparison online – these will help you better understand and compare a variety of health plans and choose an insurance option that suits your needs best. With the help of experts, you can switch to a health insurance policy that will help you save money in the long run.
Communication as a way of inclusion
Building good family relationships is crucial for maintaining harmony and balance within a home. Communication is an important component in establishing healthy relations between family members, and it’s one of the ways to make everyone feel included. Take some time in a day when you’ll all just sit down, listen to each other, and express your opinions and feelings without being judgmental. Be open-minded, and employ positive communication to let everyone know that they’re valued and understood. Remember to give them your full attention, and avoid using a smartphone during the conversation as it can be distracting. Be open to your family members expressing any emotion, be it anger, sadness, joy, or worry. Finally, don’t forget to praise and encourage them by expressing love and appreciation.
Spending time together – quality vs quantity
Spending time with your family members should be about finding ways to make the most of the moments you share without focusing too much on quantity. Instead, emphasis should be placed on the quality and how you spend your time together. It doesn’t have to be at home – it can be something as simple as taking a trip to the store, going for a walk, or enjoying a delicious family meal in a nearby restaurant. Even a car ride or dinner at home can be a great opportunity to ask your family members about their day and catch up. Find some activities you can incorporate into your weekly routine and use this time to have fun together and strengthen your family bonds.
The importance of teamwork
While family time is important for building relationships, introducing activities that encourage teamwork is a great way to improve the way your household functions. Keeping the house clean and tidy shouldn’t be one person’s job. Instead, household chores can and should be divided among family members. Even the children can help – just make sure you assign them with age-appropriate tasks. You can also consider giving them an allowance to motivate them to do even better. By assigning everyone with chores, you’ll encourage teamwork and make every family member feel like they’re contributing to the household.
Working on marriage to help parents stay connected
Even though being a parent can be exhausting, you and your spouse need to find a way to stay connected when you’re away from the everyday, mundane activities. Think of the ways you can spend some quality time with your partner, and try to fit that into your schedule, no matter how packed it may be. Surprise your husband with a romantic date night, and slip into something that makes you feel attractive. New moms, be sure to update your wardrobe with essentials that make you feel good so you look polished and put-together every day – you’ll feel much more desirable and confident. Use ordinary moments when you’re relaxing to show your affection and remember to give him compliments from time to time. Select one day of the week when you’ll have time just for the two of you, and plan out some fun activities to simply enjoy each other’s company and reconnect.
Although it can be stressful and hectic sometimes, nothing can replace the joys of living a family life. These tips will help you build a happier, stronger family and maintain a healthy, positive atmosphere in your family home.
About the Author
Mia Taylor is 33 year old blogger who writes about beauty, fashion and travel. She had always been passionate about fashion and over time she had developed a style of her own. Mia loves to mix and match and get inspire girls with her advice about outfit and accessories. She loves telling a story about her travels, providing beauty tips with readers.