BY Denise Witmer
Spending quality time together is one of the greatest gifts families can give one another. Not only does sharing quality time strengthen and build family bonds, but taking the time to connect face-to-face also provides a sense of belonging and security for everyone in the family.
Research has shown that when families have strong family bonds, kids are more likely to score high on well-being scales like self-acceptance, personal growth, life purpose, and positive relationships with others.
Strong family bonds also encourage better behavior in children, improve academic performance, strengthen parent-child communication, and teach your child how to be a good friend. Quality family relationships measure a child’s overall well-being, and studies have found a correlation between the time parents spend with children and children’s overall happiness.
Set aside time for each other
Look at everyone’s schedule to see if there are any blocks of time that can be designated family time, In between sports practice, appointments, and other extracurricular activities, it might seem tricky, but it’s worth the effort. Try to select a regular night, maybe once a week, when the entire family gets together for a fun activity, like a game night—or try to eat dinner together every night as a family if your schedules permit.
Plan Outings
Another way to incorporate family time into your schedule is to plan regular day trips. If this is something that sounds fun for your family, try to plan the trip at least one month in advance. Post it on the family calendar and make sure that everyone is aware of the plan.
Make New Traditions
Use your together time to create family traditions, like carving pumpkins every Halloween or picking the first strawberries of the summer season together. Some families enjoy attending the same local festival every year or entering a 5K walk or run together.
Eat Meals Together
Use your together time to create family traditions, like carving pumpkins every Halloween or picking the first strawberries of the summer season together. Some families enjoy attending the same local festival every year or entering a 5K walk or run together.
Do Chores as a Family
Make cleaning your home or caring for your yard a responsibility the whole family shares. Create a list of chores and have everyone sign up. Then set a time during the week or on the weekend when everyone can tackle their chores at the same time.
If your teens have a demanding schedule and need a little more flexibility, give them a deadline to complete their chores. But remind them that doing chores together makes the job go much faster than doing them alone.
Have Family Meetings
Family meetings are a good time for everyone to check in with each other, air grievances, or discuss future plans. For instance, a family meeting is a good time to talk about an upcoming family vacation. how you to plan to complete chores next weekend, or your child’s plans post-graduation.
Encourage Support
Feeling supported by your family is one of the most important elements of building strong family bonds. To create a sense of support, encourage everyone to learn what is important to their family members, whether that’s career aspirations or hobbies, and to do their best to support each others’ interests.
