Healthy Family Traits
It is imperative to create an environment conducive for developing strong and healthy relationships within the family.
Love
Love is a vital foundation block on which the family is built. In most cultures, the family union is initiated by the joining of a married couple who is in love. Even for arranged marriages, love must be demonstrated and exercised through honesty, understanding, patience and forgiveness in order for it to grow and flourish. This strong bond developed between the two can then overflow in their parenting style.
From inception, a child needs to be shown love. The love language is demonstrated by parents’ keen interest to their child’s needs responding in supporting and constructive ways. According to interpersonal neurobiology, interactions between the primary caregiver/s within the first two years are crucial as it formulates the brain to carry on functions such as attention, perception, memory and emotional regulation (Gingrich 2013, p. 38). Healthy and secure attachments between parents and children help with the development of a positive self and the child’s ability to have healthy relationships later in life. As children get older, loves has to be demonstrated by expanding boundaries. Love within the family takes time, effort, affection and a willingness to forgive.
Love
Love is a vital foundation block on which the family is built. In most cultures, the family union is initiated by the joining of a married couple who is in love. Even for arranged marriages, love must be demonstrated and exercised through honesty, understanding, patience and forgiveness in order for it to grow and flourish. This strong bond developed between the two can then overflow in their parenting style.
From inception, a child needs to be shown love. The love language is demonstrated by parents’ keen interest to their child’s needs responding in supporting and constructive ways. According to interpersonal neurobiology, interactions between the primary caregiver/s within the first two years are crucial as it formulates the brain to carry on functions such as attention, perception, memory and emotional regulation (Gingrich 2013, p. 38). Healthy and secure attachments between parents and children help with the development of a positive self and the child’s ability to have healthy relationships later in life. As children get older, loves has to be demonstrated by expanding boundaries. Love within the family takes time, effort, affection and a willingness to forgive.
Learning
The family is the first institution by which learning takes place where values and beliefs are instilled, skills and self are developed and appropriate behaviour is learnt. Parents are expected to impart knowledge to their children and ensure they are exposed to the age appropriate television shows, movies, social media. Parents teach by example and are willing to learn through experience as a family unit.
The family is the first institution by which learning takes place where values and beliefs are instilled, skills and self are developed and appropriate behaviour is learnt. Parents are expected to impart knowledge to their children and ensure they are exposed to the age appropriate television shows, movies, social media. Parents teach by example and are willing to learn through experience as a family unit.
Laughter
Laughter is good medicine to the bone. It’s okay to be goofy and enjoy down time with each other. Laughing releases the stress and tension built up from everyday life and creates an environment where persons are comfortable to be themselves. Laughter together rather than at each other should be encouraged. Laughter generates lasting memories that continue to make the family unit stronger and a desirable place to belong.
Laughter is good medicine to the bone. It’s okay to be goofy and enjoy down time with each other. Laughing releases the stress and tension built up from everyday life and creates an environment where persons are comfortable to be themselves. Laughter together rather than at each other should be encouraged. Laughter generates lasting memories that continue to make the family unit stronger and a desirable place to belong.
Communication
From getting to know an individual more or attempting to resolve a conflict, communication is a key factor to building healthy family relationships. In this fast paced society and the increased use of mobile technology, how important it is for family members to make a conscious effort to not only communicate trivial things but make time to discuss deep seated issues. For example, it is imperative for children to feel comfortable to communicate with their parents about issues they may be struggling with such as relationships, bullying, depression, etc. Couples should also not be afraid to express their thought or opinions on a matter. Some positive means to effective communication includes being honest and open but kind, avoid criticizing, listening empathetically without being distracted and ensuring that communication is a two way street.
From getting to know an individual more or attempting to resolve a conflict, communication is a key factor to building healthy family relationships. In this fast paced society and the increased use of mobile technology, how important it is for family members to make a conscious effort to not only communicate trivial things but make time to discuss deep seated issues. For example, it is imperative for children to feel comfortable to communicate with their parents about issues they may be struggling with such as relationships, bullying, depression, etc. Couples should also not be afraid to express their thought or opinions on a matter. Some positive means to effective communication includes being honest and open but kind, avoid criticizing, listening empathetically without being distracted and ensuring that communication is a two way street.
Time Together
Families must ensure that quality time is set aside to spend together and this can be done through, for instance, family devotions, family meals, recreation, vacations or work/ chores. While respecting individual space is important, spending both quality and quantity time together are necessary for good relationship formation and maintenance.
Families must ensure that quality time is set aside to spend together and this can be done through, for instance, family devotions, family meals, recreation, vacations or work/ chores. While respecting individual space is important, spending both quality and quantity time together are necessary for good relationship formation and maintenance.
The video below depicts five strategies for building a healthy strong family. As Christians, we will have different ways of having devotions. Even though the video describes a Roman Catholic perspective, it is vital to include spirituality as part of family time
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Websites:
10 Ways to Build a Healthy and Happy Family
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/10-ways-to-build-a-healthy-and-happy-family-11641140.html
The Secret to Building a Great Marriage and Family
http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/faith/essentials/becoming-a-christian/the-secret-to-building-a-great-marriage-and-family
10 Ways to Build a Healthy and Happy Family
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/10-ways-to-build-a-healthy-and-happy-family-11641140.html
The Secret to Building a Great Marriage and Family
http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/faith/essentials/becoming-a-christian/the-secret-to-building-a-great-marriage-and-family