Source: familiesforlife.sg

Nowadays, having a whole family is such a blessing! Not everyone gets to be with both mom and dad under the same roof for quite a long time. Divorce is prevalent regardless of having children. Some parents, on the other hand, may experience difficulties in dealing with their children, especially teens. It is indeed challenging to strengthen the bond of the family.

Dr. Jaclyn Shlisky PsyD says “Focus more on how your children make progress by comparing them to themselves—if they are progressing each day, each week, each month, that’s what really matters. Every day try to find a small win.”

Factors Affecting Family Relationship:

1. Time

Everyone in the family has a responsibility outside the house. The father needs to go to work to provide for the family, and some mothers do too. The children have to go to school, and babies and toddlers have to stay at home with the nannies or sometimes left in the daycare.

We don’t realize that we spend half of our time with other people and not our family. We spend nine hours in the office, one to two hours traveling from and to home, which leaves 13 hours. One hour is for dinner and another hour for homework and other tasks. Now, your time for your family is down to 11, but you need to rest and sleep too. That’s another eight hours less. So you only have three hours spare to spend.

What Are You Going To Do With That Remaining Three Hours?

• Think of a family activity where all members can join.
• Create a space to gather after everyone has finished their tasks.
• Make sure to say goodnight before everyone goes to bed.

“When I am with my children, whether for an hour or a full day, I am responsive to their cues and needs; I provide undivided attention whenever possible to set them up for success,” according to Francyne Zeltser, PsyD.

2. Communication

With the advancement of technology today, communication is made easy. We get to talk to and communicate with our colleagues, classmates, friends, and other people far away from us. It may sound like it’s a big leap, but it also has a significant disadvantage. It takes away our time for the people who should be getting the most of it.

After you arrive home, do you still make time to catch up with everyone, or do you go straight to the computer or check your phone to see how the rest of the world is doing?

What should you do to enhance communication within the family?

• Ask everyone how their day went.
• Tell your family how your day went.
• Help children with their homework.
• Spend an hour talking about anything with the family.
• Spend an hour talking with your spouse before going to bed.

3. Love And Respect

Love and respect should always be present any day. Although the people in our family are in our hearts, it is essential that it is not just words. We should be making an effort to show them in action.

How Do Children Show Their Parents Love And Respect?

• Help them with the chores.
• Ask them if everything’s okay at work.
• Offer to give a back or foot massage.
• Offer to make some tea.

How Do Parents Show Their Children Love And Respect?

• Ask them how their day was.
• Ask if they need anything at school.
• Ask about anything you think interests your children.
• Stop everything you’re doing once your children start to open up.
• Don’t nag or yell at your children.

Source: qportugal.com

These three factors are vital in any relationship, and our relationship with our family is essential in our overall perspective and attitude towards life. It is the key to a peaceful and positive mindset. We must put our family at the top of our priorities because no matter how they love us, taking them for granted is unwise. We often do it because we think that they’re going to stick around no matter what. But the family is the beginning and center of all our relationships. It is through them that we learn significant values and morals in life. “Teach your kids kindness and empathy,” according to Christopher Willard, PsyD.  That is why how we are with our family reflects how we are as a person.