In Leo Tolstoy’s novel “Anna Karenina” there’s a famous sentence: “All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” We couldn’t agree more. Even though everyone may have their own definition of happiness, there are certain tips and rituals you can follow in order to have a happy family. Being a part of a happy household can have a great impact on your and your children’s wellbeing and success in life, so let’s explore some ways to build and sustain a happy family.
Spend Time Together
Spending quality time together and making new precious memories is essential for building a happy family. Regardless of how busy your life is, strive to schedule time dedicated to being together at least 1-2 times a week. It could be anything from a movie night to a game night to building a snowman on a cold winter day. Consistent quality time spent as a family will help you build stronger bonds with your loved ones and create a solid foundation that would last a lifetime, keeping happiness levels sky-high.
Have Meals as a Family
Sitting down for a family meal on a regular basis can have tremendous benefits for you and your children. Grab breakfast together before starting your day or enjoy a big delicious dinner at the end of a busy week (or do both!) to catch up and reconnect with your family. The sense of security, stability, and togetherness that family meals offer will inevitably lead to greater happiness and joy within your household. Besides, having meals at home vs. eating out will also be better for your family budget and will encourage healthy eating habits among your family members.
Have a Family Vacation
The benefits of taking your family on vacation cannot be overstated. Family vacations build precious memories, provide the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge, help expand your children’s horizons and social awareness, and most importantly, encourage family bonding on a whole new level. So, if you want to have a happy family, don’t hesitate to use your PTO hours to go somewhere exciting together. If the thought of planning a family vacation terrifies you, let hubmee help. The smart organizer has all the tools you need to plan the perfect family getaway without losing your sanity. You can learn more here.
Build Rituals
Family rituals are activities, routines or traditions that you do together on a regular basis. They can be tied to common public holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, or be something truly special and unique for your family. Meaningful family rituals foster a sense of belonging and allow you to build stronger emotional connections with your family members. You can keep a “Gratitude Jar” throughout the year, make pancakes every Saturday morning, put a camping tent in your living room once in a while, go hiking once a month – do any activity that speaks to the values and the background of your family.
Communicate Openly
Open, honest, non-judgemental, and effective communication is the backbone of every happy family. Positive and proper communication helps resolve family conflicts, allows family members to safely express their concerns and opinions, improves listening skills, and helps maintain valuable family bonds. Every member of your family is unique and has his or her own views and personalities, so be patient and understanding when listening to what they have to say. Also, remember to be available and don’t brush off your family’s requests for communication – try to make time in your busy schedule to pause and talk about things; it can greatly affect your family’s happiness.
Find Ways to Make Each Other Happy
Little random acts of kindness can go a long way towards building a happy family and keeping your loved ones feeling close to one another. If you know your wife’s favorite flowers, consider getting her a bouquet for no reason when she least expects it. Or, perhaps you could surprise your husband with his favorite dish or get your kids their favorite snacks. You can also volunteer together as a family to make a difference in someone else’s life. Even though they are small and simple, such gestures can be a powerful force for building a happy family.