Many military families search for ways to bring their families together and tighten their bonds. This is why we created a guide to help family members maintain an open line of communication and strengthen their relationships.
Having a weekly family meeting is a great start. This gives everyone an opportunity to connect with each other and catch up.
Some examples of opening questions for your family meeting include:
Read on for more information on how to build a strong family.
There are at least 5 L’s which contribute to strong families.
Families are where we learn values, skills, and behavior. Strong families manage and control their learning experiences by establishing a pattern of home life, selecting appropriate TV shows, and so on. Strong families involve themselves in neighborhoods, schools, churches, and businesses that reflect their family values.
Strong families have a sense of loyalty to their other family members. They stick together when things get tough and stand up for each other. In times of success or failure, family members are there to cheer on your wins and help you in trying times.
All humans need to love and be loved in return. The family is normally where love is expressed. The atmosphere of love is created through honesty, understanding, patience, and forgiveness. Strong families share activities and express gratitude for one another.
Building a strong family unit is serious business, but if taken too seriously, can make things tense. Instead, use humor as an escape valve for family tension. Through laughter, we can learn to see ourselves honestly and objectively. However, laughing at each other divides a family. Focus on laughing together to build family ties.
Leadership is essential and without it, the family will weaken. Every family needs its own set of rules and guidelines. Strong families can work together to establish their way of life. Getting your kids involved in making these decisions can help them gain a voice, but in times of crisis, adult family members must get the family to work together.
In studies conducted both in the U.S. and around the world, there are several characteristics found in strong families. These qualities are commitment, appreciation, communication, time together, spiritual wellness, and coping abilities.
Stay committed to keeping traditions alive, even when new circumstances present themselves. For example, if Sunday was family game night before you moved into a new home, be sure to stick with this fun family activity.
Commitment means that:
You can take small, easy steps to achieve this strength. Recognize positive attributes about your child through verbal praise, written notes, or physical affection. Tell them you’re proud of an assignment they completed or give them a hug if they’ve had a hard day.
Appreciation in families means:
Set time aside to talk with your child. Try to make it fun and engaging, and ask plenty of questions. Also, be sure to face the tough stuff with them, too. While these more serious subjects can be difficult to talk about, it will mean a lot to your kids.
Effective communication means:
Studies have shown that it’s important for families to spend quality time together in large quantities. You can do this by going camping, having a picnic, doing chores, or even something as simple as spending mealtimes together.
Quality time spent with the family:
Whether your family attends religious ceremonies or not, strong family members have a sense of greater good or power in life. This belief gives them strength and purpose.
Spirituality:
When your family is strong, you’re able to turn times of stress or crisis into an opportunity to learn. Good problem-solving increases confidence that we can deal with most things that come our way.
Coping strategies in strong families include:
This guide was put together by SchoolQuest, a free resource to help military-connected families transition to new schools. SchoolQuest serves as a centralized hub where parents and students can find helpful information, tools, and resources.
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