During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of families have grown to appreciate the time that they spend with their families in a whole different light. Whether it’s starting to enjoy the little things in life, planning family trips out once it’s safe to do so, or re-evaluating what it takes to have a happy family home there has certainly been a lot of time to think about things.
This time has certainly enabled us to remember what really matters and that’s the love and happiness of your family home, so let’s have a look at 10 steps you can take to create a happy home.
Balancing Home And Work Life
It’s certainly not easy to balance your work and home life, but how you manage it can make a huge difference to your relationship with your family. Having a balance between home and work, such as being able to work in a way that fits perfectly around your family commitments and isn’t only restricted to a standard 9 to 5, boosts your self-esteem. This is because you’re not constantly worrying about neglecting your duties in either area. This can lead to you feeling more in control of your life. Your family will be happy that they get to see you more, and you will succeed in having a life away from your home.
Look After Yourself
It’s far too easy for parents to spend all of their time looking after everyone in the family but themselves. If you don’t take care of yourself, even by completing simple tasks like going to the dentist or getting enough sleep, then you can be left feeling resentful or miserable. Meaning you won’t be able ot give your children the support they need. You need to admit to yourself that you have needs and feelings of your own, it’s certainly not selfish to look after yourself or have a treat once in a while.
Good Discipline
Rather than seeing discipline as a punishment, you should always use it as a way to teach your children how to meet their needs without offending or hurting anyone. While at times you may be angry, it can help to keep calm and teach your children how they could have handled the situation differently. It will help them to learn how to tackle something next time. It’s much more constructive and positive.
Set Boundaries
Parents use boundaries to protect their children from danger or harm. However, it is essential that you try to explain the reasons behind the boundaries been in place. It’s important to try to explain why the boundaries are there, rather than ordering them. So, instead of pulling them away from something, explain why you are doing it. Children are often reluctant to follow instructions if something is demanded. However, if it is followed by an explanation as to why it is important it will help your children to understand, and more likely to cooperate.
Good Communication
Communication is important for both tough and good times in your family life. Children can find it difficult to put their feelings into words, so them knowing that you are listening can be enough to help. Try to talk about yourself a well s talking about problems about your daily life. If they feel as though they are being included in the things you do and decisions that you make they are more likely to do the same for you. It also opens up the window of healthy communication between parent and child, letting them feel comfortable telling you anything they feel like they need to.
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Spending Quality Time Together
It’s important and healthy for you to have some time dedicated to spending time together as a family a few times a week. It will not only give you the opportunity to connect and talk about significant issues, but it also enables you to get to know each other better as you grow as a family unit. Even including your children in small tasks like running errands or completing chores, can make them feel like part of your life rather than an outsider. Think about arranging some family dedicated hours a few times a week. You could play a board game, go out for the day, play in the garden, or simply watch a family movie.
Including Everyone In Decisions
It is completely normal for children to test the limits of the boundaries you have in place, especially when it comes to older children. They like to see what they are able to get away with. And as your children grow, it is very likely that the boundaries you have in place adapt, it could even pay dividends to include your children in a debate about the boundaries, they are much more likely to follow them and stick by them if they have come to the decision with you. Bear in mind that too many restrictions may be hard to keep on top of, so it’s best to decide which ones are the most important. They will often be the ones that include your child’s safety. If you try to minimize the boundaries you have in place, your children will grow to learn that boundaries are there for a very good reason.
Comforting
Through the good and bad, it’s essential for the family to be there for each other. If a family member has a problem or there is a family tragedy then pulling together as a team can really help. Your children will need your help through times like this, and it always best to be open and communicate. They will need to be reassured, have an explanation, and will react differently dependant on their ages.
Be As Flexible As Possible
Whether you want to believe it or not, children want to spend time with their parents. It can be extremely fun to be impulsive and take an unscheduled trip to the beach, go for an unexpected picnic in the park or play an impromptu game. It will also end up being something that you and the kids never forget. It’s great to have a routine and a good one at that. But don’t let it take away from the small moments in life and allow it to be interrupted every now and again. If you’re a really busy family, don’t forget to grab those moments when you can and as often as you can.
Spend Some Quality Time With Your Partner
People aren’t lying when they say that their relationship changes once they have children. It can certainly be a difficult time for even the strongest couple. At the end of the day, children learn about relationships from their parents, therefore some parents feel pressured into being the perfect role models. One of the best things you can do is realize that having children is a big change, but you can become stronger as long as you take the time out to still grab some quality time together. Communicate frequently, about day to day details and things that you enjoy. It’s a good idea to arrange some time in your routine to be just you as a couple. It could be a date night once a month for a meal, or just making time to relax in front of the tv at the end of the night.
These 10 steps will get you well on your way to a happier family home, is there anything that you do to keep your family happy? Please share some ideas in the comments below.
Dianna Ranere 