By CHARITY MOONGA –
NOWADAYS, it is increasingly becoming more difficult for most families to stay together because of parents facing challenging and stressful careers and children engaging in their various activities.
Thus, this has made it difficult for families to bond and stay together.
Below are some tips that can help families live happier lives together as advised by various experts:
It is important for parents to balance between work and home keeping, since the latter is full time work just like the former.
Parents should always remember to cuddle or hug their children as this promotes bonding.
Make time for activities that have no purpose other than to allow family members to enjoy spending time together. Play games, plot surprise parties, take long walks, plant a garden, or cook.
Exercise together.
Take a run or a bike ride with your child. This kind of outing allows parents to model healthy behaviour, get exercise, and spend time with their kids.
Create healthy eating habits, cook together and avoid junk foods because they will harm your family’s health. Some healthy snacks are fruits, vegetables, nuts, or dried fruit.
Reward good behaviour but avoid being extravagant.
Families should also read and write together.
Board games like monopoly and scrabble can also go a long way in keeping families united.
Parents with more than one child should try to spend a little time interacting just with one child each day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. That special time with a parent helps the child feel cared for and to bond with you. Appreciate each other as family.
Find little ways to show how much you value each other.
Remember sorry isn’t enough.
When one of your children hurts the feelings of a sibling, it’s not enough to apologise. That child must also find a way to help heal the wound she or he has caused, by helping with a chore or sharing a toy.
Discipline: rather than thinking of discipline as a punishment, you should use it as a way of teaching your children how to meet their needs without hurting or offending anyone.
Communication is important – during both the good and the tough times.
Children often find it hard to put their feelings into words and just knowing that their parents are listening can be enough. Talk about yourself – not just about your problems but about your daily life.
If they feel included in the things you do they are more likely to see the value of including you in the things they do.
Make joint decisions with older children, it is normal for them to test the limits of boundaries to see what they can get away with.
It is also important for a family to be there for each other through the hard times, as well as the good times. If there is a family tragedy, or a family member has a problem, pulling together can really help.
Your children will need your help at this time, and it is important to be open and communicate with them. They will need reassurance and explanation, and will react differently depending on their ages. It can also help to talk to someone impartial.
Spend quality time with your partner
It can be difficult to find time for you and your partner once you have children, but it is important to make time for each other.
After all, children learn about relationships from their parents. Prioritise your marriage.
The most important thing you can do for your child is to love your spouse and to demonstrate that love. This models a good relationship for your child and helps to keep your marriage intact.