Keeping your home harmonious isn’t an easy task. This is especially the case with larger families where there are age gaps, different interests, stages of life and the part of human nature where conflict develops when we are around people too much. However, challenging all of this is, there are ways to give each other space and create a happy environment where everyone can feel at home. Sound like a pipe dream? Are you struggling to live alongside your family members? The following are some top tips for creating and maintaining a happy home.
Communication is essential to avoid or better manage conflict. Differences develop over time and can often be because they were not resolved early on, allowing resentment to grow. If there is an issue between family members, get them to sit down and talk about it. Sometimes, one party may not be aware of their behaviors and how it affects others. For parents, communication is especially important as any conflict will have an adverse effect on how your children perceive healthy family life.
Finances are a leading cause of conflict within families. The stress of trying to manage your money will become apparent to those around you and can lead to arguments and resentment. Ensure that you are budgeting correctly and teaching your children how to do so, too. It is a valuable life skill that they will appreciate later on in life. Teach them the value of money by giving them an allowance to spend each month. Talk openly about debt and address any issues before they become serious. If someone in the family is in college and you’re all struggling financially, look into getting a student loan refinance and discuss the pros and cons of getting extra funding. Talk about credit cards and what it means to have a good and bad credit rating. The more openly everyone can speak about money, the better.
Asserting boundaries and sticking to them can lead to a happier family environment. If you don’t know what someone’s boundaries are, then it is difficult to not cross them. We all have small behaviors that irritate us, so sit down with your family and discuss what these are. Once you are all aware, you can make more effort to not cross each other’s boundaries. You should also stress that it doesn’t matter how insignificant one thing might feel to one person, it could be a big thing for another.
Everyone needs their own time and space. For parents this is particularly important. There is a lot of stress and pressure that goes with trying to raise a family and keeping everything running smoothly. Most of your time is going to be spent doing things family related, so being able to take an hour or two for yourself will give you more sense of freedom. It could mean getting up early and going for a walk, or just spending an hour in the garden on your own. Whatever you do to relax on your own, make time to do it.
Family time will give you and your family time to bond. This is also a great way to prepare for your family’s future by creating foundational bonds now that will sustain you through the times when physical or emotional distance may befall your family. You will spend most of your time around each other but that will be doing ordinary, everyday things. You should try and do something different like going away for a short vacation or even spending a Sunday afternoon playing games with each other. These will create happy memories and give your family time to appreciate each other in a more relaxed environment.
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