How to Strengthen Family Bonds –
Bring Your Family Closer and Build a Firm Foundation
Spending time together is one of the greatest gifts families can give to one another. Not only does sharing quality time strengthen and build family bonds, but it also provides a sense of belonging and security for everyone in the family.
Research has shown that when families enjoy activities together, children not only learn important social skills but also have higher self-esteem.1 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.
As a parent, you play a key role in cultivating and protecting these family bonds. But building strong family connections doesn’t always happen naturally. In our hectic day-to-day lives, it can take a concerted effort to carve out time for your family. If you want to make this firm foundation a reality in your family, commit to these 10 essential practices.
Schedule Family Time
Whether you have school-aged children or teens, it takes planning to make sure you’re getting enough quality together time.
- Set aside time for family. Look at everyone’s schedule to see if there are any blocks of time that can be designated family time. Try to select a regular night, maybe once a week, when the entire family gets together for a fun activity. By keeping this night on a regular schedule, everyone will know that they need to keep that night clear for family time.
- 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.
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