Drawing Inspiration from God to answer the question…What is a family?
What is a family? God has put something in human beings that draw us to one another and creates a desire to be part of a unique relationship called a family. This characteristic can sometimes be found in the animal kingdom as well, but He has definitely made it more important amongst humans.
What is a family? These are the people who we rely on every day to fulfill the natural relationship needs that God has given to each and every one of us. Each family is different. We all have our own beliefs, customs and traditions. The combination of people can even change from one household to the next. For example, one household may have a mom, dad and two kids, but the next may only have a single parent and two kids. Other families may be made up of people who are not even blood related to one another.
Regardless of your families unique characteristics and mannerisms, there are some very distinct items that we each can do to make our families work more cohesively together. These items are fairly universal, but the methods that you use to apply these items may vary depending on your background and the makeup of your family.
The most important thing that a family should accomplish is to create a feeling of acceptance and nurturing a love of the other members of the household. This is especially important for parents because you want your kids to be able to come to you with any problem that they are having. Your family should be the first place you turn to for advice and you should never feel as if you will be judged or not loved when you come to them for help.
Love is a natural part of who God is and this is one of the fundamental things that he has put inside of us. Our love for each other as a family is simply his gift to us and allows us to see one of the most important parts of Him each and every day. Make sure that you share this love with your family by creating a loving home that is free from judgment.
There are a number of ways that you can improve your family life on a daily basis. The first thing that you must do is to make a conscious effort to spend time with your family to begin building a strong relationship with each member. Make sure that each member of your household is able to be themselves. You should realize that every person is created differently and you should embrace the person that they are because they are special and distinctive.
Make the atmosphere in your home secure and peaceful. Fights should not be held in front of your children. Instead, take them to a private setting so that your kids will view the leaders of the household as a cohesive unit of protection and strength that they can rely on regardless of the situation. They should know that you are in it together as a family and will back each other up in any circumstance. Fighting breaks down these thoughts and may make them feel insecure about the security of your home.
Establish a rhythm or a routine. One of the first things that is told to new parents with babies is to establish a bedtime routine. This is extremely important for kids and they rely on this for comfort and security. Stick to a certain schedule for things such as dinnertime and bedtime. Although this may vary from time to time based on different activities that are going on, try to keep them as regulated as possible.
Take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Understand that how you act and react to certain situations affect the way you interact with the other members in your household. Don’t be afraid to sit yourself down and have a heart to heart about things that you need to change about yourself that can make your family work better together. Realize that you are not perfect, but that you are still one of God’s children. Allow Him to work through you to make your actions honor Him and provide the best environment for your family.
Most of us have had a conversation that goes something like this. “Every Christmas my family would…” More than likely, the person telling this story would tell it with an air of pride. Traditions and rituals are a part of determining the answer to the question of what is a family. These are the things that your kids are going to look back on fondly when they grow older. Don’t miss out on these amazing memory-making opportunities.
It is also important that you are active in communication. You need to be an active part of your kids’ lives and truly understand what is going on inside their minds. Although you may feel that interrogation is the best method, it is really better to open these lines of communication in locations that a child knows they are safe to be themselves. Never give your child the impression that they are going to be in trouble for something that they want to share with you.
What is a family? Your family should be one of the most important things to you. They are the group of people that you travel through life with and survive crises, hardships and heartbreaks with. By following these tools, you will be able to build your family life into something that you can treasure for the many years to come.