The Fathering Project

What makes strong families?

Providing a strong foundation of safety and security, followed by consistent warmth, care and attention strengthens family bonds. When there are challenges to be faced, overcoming them will only reinforce the foundation, rather than destroy it.

So, what are the practical steps to reinforcing your family’s wellbeing and ability to weather the storms?

• Communication –make time for each family member to discuss their daily lives and their feelings.
• Support – show your family you are there for them when they need you.
• Spend time together as a family and one-on-one
• Family Time Rituals –regular family activities are a great way to reinforce the family foundations.

Family Time Rituals

Family time is a ritual of getting the family together on a regular basis to spend valuable time connecting and having fun. Whether it be Sunday breakfast, Friday game night, picnics or an exercise routine, the aim is to bring everyone closer together, to share, communicate and bond.

Top Tips for Family Time

• Establish a regular family time when everyone is available to focus on the family.
• Family time can include fun family activities that everyone chooses together. i.e. board game time, family movie night, Sunday breakfast, etc
• Allow everyone in the family to contribute ideas for family time.
• Block out this family time. Don’t schedule other activities during that time. Keep it as a sacred time.

Families

• We feel strongly connected to each other
• We allow each other to be ourselves
• We enjoy simple inexpensive family activities
• It is easy to share our values and ideas with each other
• We love one another
• We often laugh with each other
• We enjoy helping each other

Have you enjoyed this article? Learn more about how to create meaningful moments with your children through Activities with Kids.