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This is a collaborative post.
Keeping your family happy and healthy is one of the most important things in life. Making priorities to have some family time instead of finishing a work task that can wait is as simple as it is to build a closer connection and make your loved ones happy.
If you struggle to create a work-life balance or worry you are not doing enough to make your family happy and feel loved, here are some simple tips. Everyone can benefit from integrating these techniques into their lives to increase your own happiness or even build a healthier relationship with your partner.
Socialize
It can be easy to let the hours run away, and before you know it, the day is over, and you have hardly said much to your children or partner. Having a stressful day at work or an intense appointment can cause us to feel uninspired to socialize at the end of a long day. If you can remember to, try and leave your stress and worries at work. Or, talk openly about them with your loved ones. They are there to listen and give advice just as much as you do for them.
Making time to talk over breakfast, snuggled up on the sofa, or while cooking dinner will help you let off steam and tell each other how you are feeling. Socialising is the key to engagement, and engaging and making time for people results in a closer bond.
Be Honest
Along the lines of socialising, being open and honest is important. If you have something or your mind or you feel your children or partner is stressed or quiet, talk about it while engaging in conversation.
For example, there may be an issue going on in your partner’s life with their family. You can ask them if they need help with common legal questions or asking them how the issue is going. If you show interest, then they will feel more comfortable with telling you how they are feeling. Likewise, if you have an issue you want advice or help with, share it with your partner. The more honest you are, the healthier and more trustful the relationship will be.
You should always be honest and open with your children. By showing them it is good to be honest with their thoughts, worries, or proud moments will instill this trait into their personality. Asking them at the end of the school day how their day was and if they have anything they want to share, good or bad, will help them feel more relaxed with telling you the truth.
Go On Adventures
Being adventurous and having fun with your family will help you create a closer bond and make special memories. Adults love adventure as much as children, which gives more reason to embark on adventures with your children.
Going on random last-minute trips to the sports center or organizing a fun-filled weekend break will fulfill a child’s dream. It can also help build their self-confidence. If your child is unsure of what activities they enjoy doing, you can encourage them to try new things. They will find what they like as well as expanding their knowledge.
An adventure can range from camping to mountain climbing to a swamp tour. Some adventures build motor skills while others enhance language or help expand social awareness.
Have Fun At Mealtimes
Family mealtimes are a part of the daily routine. Whether you grab a quick breakfast before school and work or sit down in the evening around the table to have dinner, make mealtimes fun and exciting.
If you often sit in silence at dinner or engage in the same conversations, try spicing things up with a game or question round. Quickfire questions or memory games can be easily enjoyed while eating and will create laughter and excitement.
For families with younger children, you can still use games or use mealtimes as storytimes. If you have fun stories about your past childhood memories to tell, your child will love to listen. It will also help them learn about you and encourage them to share their stories with you.
Create Boundaries
Although it is beneficial and important to have fun and be relaxed with your family, it will help to set some boundaries. If you are too easy with your children, they may be more difficult to control and can cause arguments.
Boundaries help young people develop self-control, be part of our society, and feel cared for and safe. They also help parents look after themselves and other family members. Boundaries should be seen as guidelines, which can be used to improve behavior and give responsibility.
For maturer families, those with older children, boundaries are essential to maintaining our autonomy and dignity in relationships. Boundaries create and maintain the emotional safety that allows us to feel relaxed and trusting in our closest relationships.
Get Jobs Done
Again, the dull and mundane daily routines need to be discussed. Household jobs can be boring as it may seem like you are diverting the attention away from spending time with your loved ones. But, if you have jobs to do, they may interfere with the future opportunity for activities or conversations. If you get the jobs out of the way, you will have less distraction and more focus when spending time with your family.
Whether you need to wash the dishes or get the baby to sleep, prioritize these tasks so that you can focus on your family.
This tip ties in with creating a healthy work-life balance. If you can get your work commitments out of the way and in good time, you can make more time for your family. If you find yourself working long hours and not spending enough time with your partner or children, you may want to rethink. Spending time with loved ones is important for your own health and happiness as much as it is theirs.