7 Tips for a Happier Family

7 Tips for a Happier Family

No-one said family life would be easy. With so many people under one household and with fluctuating opinions and schedules, it can often be difficult to see eye to eye at all times – but this is, of course, completely natural. 

If you would like to spend more time with your partner and children or create a household free of stress and tension, this guide may help you live happier as a family. Take a look at some of the tips below, which may help you come to an understanding of how to achieve a more unified family home:

Balancing work and home life

It is never straightforward to balance your work and home life, especially if you have a full-time position that takes up most of your day. You may not give up work for financial reasons, which is causing you to feel guilty for not spending enough time with your children. It is a never-ending cycle that can leave you confused about how to move forward.

If you are unable to give up work, you may want to seek other job opportunities with hours that do not clash with your family commitments. In doing so, you do not have to give up vital employment, but it still allows you to feel much more in control of your life, which will, in turn, lead to a happier family environment. 

Take care of yourself

Parents spend so much time worrying about their children that they have completely forgotten about looking after themselves in most cases. This may leave you feeling miserable, bitter, and potentially exhausted, leading to friction between household members. You must realize that you deserve some ‘me time’ now and again to keep up with the fast pace of life and recharge your batteries for the week ahead. If not, you will start to struggle mentally and physically, which will affect those around you.

Handling situations 

It is your responsibility to teach your child right from wrong but getting angry is not always the best approach. Instead of losing your temper, you could instead resort to discipline to calmly communicate that you do not agree with what they have done. Screaming and shouting not only leaves you drained and frustrated but can also instill fear in your children – so it is not beneficial to anyone involved. It is a huge misconception that yelling is the only way of getting respect out of your child. Sitting down with them and giving eye contact as you explain your point is a better way of getting through to them without triggering panic or confusion. 

Quality time

Whenever you can do so, you should aim to have as such quality time as a family throughout the week as possible. If you typically eat at different times each evening, why not try, and rework your schedule so you are able to sit down at the table together and talk about your day, enjoyable topics, and of course, any issues that need to be addressed. After dinner, you could also arrange a family movie night to bring you all together and enjoy quality time. Older children, in particular, could resent the idea, so it is wise to have an incentive to encourage them to participate, such as a comfy bean bag where they can chill out in their own space while still being in their family’s company. 

Make joint decisions on boundaries 

As children grow into teenagers, it is very easy to set strict boundaries to keep them on the straight and narrow, but too much discipline could have the opposite effect. It is natural at this age for your children to try and test the boundaries to see what they can get away with, but they may overstep the line, which could lead to heated arguments. To prevent this from occurring, it would be wise to involve your child in compromising boundaries and making joint decisions based on the most important aspects to you; especially those that affect safety and their general wellbeing. 

Have an adventure

Although it is more complicated to enjoy life due to the ongoing pandemic, getting out and having an adventure together as a family allows you to break out of the rut of isolation to explore new surroundings and enjoy a wholly unique experience. You don’t have to travel too far from home to enjoy yourself – this could be as simple as walking through the local forest, going fishing, or booking a weekend camping trip.

According to research, being in a new place releases the chemical ‘dopamine’ in the brain, which is the feel-good hormone to improve your mood. If you are looking to make a difference in society, you could even encourage your children to get involved with a charity. This not only teaches them to be grateful for what they have but allows you to work together to do something good.

Digital Detox 

Are you frustrated that you are never able to spend quality time together as a family due to electronic devices’ intrusion (e.g., phones, tablets, and computers)? After a certain time of night, you should all agree to put your phone away for a couple of hours to connect or even do a full digital detox. It is becoming the norm that children are struggling to keep themselves entertained without a digital device in their hand, which has become a worry for many parents regarding their child’s development. Make it a rule to keep their phone away from the table at dinner and set a specific time where they can browse at their leisure.

No-one has the perfect family, and everyone faces difficulties in their lives. However, striving to make your family home a much happier and calmer place is of benefit to everyone who lives there. Do not worry so much, you are probably doing better than you thought. We hope this guide has come in useful and has given you some helpful hints to keep in mind.