10 Ways to Strengthen Your Family Bond

How I can support my family?

How You can support your family?



It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of running your household that you forget about strengthening your family bond over time. But as important as it is to have strong family bonds, if you don’t take the time to strengthen them, they could weaken from neglect. These 10 ways to strengthen your family bond can help you reconnect with your kids and loved ones and feel closer than ever before!

 

1) Create a common goal

Create a family mission statement that outlines your core values as a family. Every decision you make should reflect these values, and when life throws challenges at you, the decisions you made in the past will give you direction. This will also help clear up any confusion on how your children should be raised and educated. Establish rules that govern what is allowed in your home such as discipline tactics, television time and other choices to set some ground rules for everyone.

 

2) Start a family board game night

When my family and I were younger, we would often gather around the table and play board games. We laughed and talked while we played Clue, Monopoly, Sorry! —anything to spend quality time together. Board game night doesn't have to be reserved for evenings or weekends—play anytime! Let your kids give you a hand with dinner; whip up an appetizer, side dish, and dessert (if you're like me, then pasta counts as all three) while they set up the game on the kitchen table; pull out chairs from the living room or bedrooms so everyone can sit around; serve fruit skewers in edible bowl covers and easy-to-grip cups with straws for grownups.

 

3) Write down your goals together

Always call and check in with one another when returning from work or from taking a break from your day. Regularly touch base with one another through text message, email, or social media for updates about what is going on in each other's lives.  Try to spend time together at least once a week (it doesn't have to be an entire day). Cook dinner together once a week. Occasionally bring home flowers or sweets as a surprise for your spouse or children. Reach out and ask questions if you notice your loved ones are down, not feeling well, or struggling with anything. - Smile more often and intentionally! Being happy will translate into the happiness of those around you.

 

4) Cook with your kids

Cooking is a great way to spend time with your family. Cooking with your kids gives them the opportunity to learn new things, explore their creativity, and teach you something in return. In this post, we offer 10 recipes that are fun for kids! The best part? They're all super easy! Let's get cooking together!

 

5) Communicate like real people

We can always find time for our kids, but sometimes we need to prioritize our needs first. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Parents are the foundation of their family. Time spent with your spouse is just as important as time spent with your children. Go out on date night, set aside some parental only time once a week or at least every other week, and spend quality time talking about each other’s days and catching up on news.

 

6) Go on adventures together

1. Go on an Adventure Together

2. Engage in Positive Conversation with Your Child

3. Try New Activities

4. Have Meaningful Conversations at the Dinner Table

5. Find Community Outings that Interest All of You

 

 

7) Make each day special

The past year has been one filled with a lot of struggle. This holiday season is going to be difficult for my family as we continue our healing journey. As the year winds down, I want us all to reflect on what we are grateful for and how much each of us means in our lives. Here are some ways that my family can start appreciating each other this month:

-Have a Christmas Eve movie night together or go see the city light parade together if you're nearby. You can exchange gifts after watching your favorite holiday movie or during a Christmas adventure.

 

8) Teach manners and respect

1. Show up on time and stay present. A little promptness goes a long way. Turn off your phone or at least put it on silent mode when you're in a conversation with family or friends so you don't forget what's going on right there and then. And turn off all devices when it's time for dinner. It's really hard for any of us to feel like we're connecting fully if you're typing away, scrolling through pictures, watching something, or talking to someone else during that moment together over food.

2. Show an interest in who they are and what they do outside of being your family member, just by asking some questions about their interests.

 

9) Show Gratitude

Do you have children, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren? Do you take the time to tell them how much they mean to you? If not, please take a few minutes to sit down and write. The difference between complaining and acknowledging will likely change your entire perspective on things. You'll be surprised how quickly little things that seemed so problematic before will dissolve because suddenly these problems don't matter as much anymore.

 

10) Exercise together

Spending time as a family doesn't have to be boring. All you need is a little imagination, some basic equipment, and a willingness to get active!

What about chasing your kids with an old quilt or towel? This game of chase uses their own laughter as fuel for more laughs. Throw the blanket or towel at them and try catching them before they go out of reach. If they break free, you can use the monster voice and chase after them! One great way to get the blood pumping is outdoor bowling using hard-boiled eggs or small pumpkins as pins. You can either compete against each other in teams or try rolling from different spots on the yard/street, trying to knock down as many pins in succession as possible.