Bonding time: How to create a strong family culture

A family takes more than love to survive, but it doesn't have to be tough.

Strong family culture is an ideal pillar based on which you make parenting a lot easier for yourself. Conflicts among your family are normal, and in certain cases, they can be quite healthy as well. However, when your children begin to behave annoyingly, it can become a cause of concern. In such a scenario, your ability to guide your kids, prevent flare-ups, and keep your family closely knitted comes to the fore.

In this article...

• Sibling rivalry
• Handling conflicts
• More quality time
• Respect

Here are some essential tips to help you prevent conflicts and create an ideal family culture.

Help reduce sibling rivalry

When you have two or more kids, comparison and competition between them can be normal. Your role here is to help each child understand their worth and make them aware of their role in the family. Make sure opportunities, praises and blames are equally distributed.

Overcome conflicts tactically

How much ever you try to avoid that, occasional flare-ups among your children are very likely. The way you respond to that will decide the future course of such conflicts. If you are outside and your children pick up a fight, you can best avoid mediating it then. Of course, some situations would require you to douse the fire immediately. However, wait for your children to calm down, understand their thoughts, and propose your solutions.

Dedicate time To each child

With sibling rivalries, harmonious relationships can go for a toss. Furthermore, each one of them would be seeking your attention all the time. When you spend time with each one of them, it helps them reduce their insecurities.

Increase your family bonding

This is the easiest way to keep everyone engaged with other family members. Find out ways through which everyone can be together for fun events and enjoy the company of everyone. Activities such as picnics, dinners, movies nights, weekend trips can all contribute to a healthy family relationship.

Give them space

While staying together is important, your children might need some time alone. Understand and respect their wishes at that time. It will also help them reflect on their thoughts, which is very essential for mental health.

A family that spends much of its time together will likely have a strong family culture. The responsibility of guiding your family and making them understand the worth of relationships lies completely on your shoulders. Give your best shot to help your children reduce conflicts among themselves and bring them together.

Parenting is tough but let's face it, we wouldn't trade it for anything.

(Naved Peerzada is a freelance writer with Children's Community Foundation)

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