Bring Your Family Closer Together

By Guest Author, Claire Hastings

For all of the technology we own that is supposed to make us feel more connected with our family and friends, we live in a pretty disconnected world.

Truthfully, there is no denying that modern technology has turned many wonderful dreams into a reality, and that tech is transforming every industry, as well as our way of life. And it’s usually for the better, whether you’re talking about healthcare, financial security, or simply making your life at home a little more comfortable.

But for all of their benefits, technology and the modern way of life also have a negative influence on the modern family.

In essence, it’s easier than ever before to drift away from your loved ones and become stressed, and even leave your children to their own devices. Needless to say, you mustn’t allow this to happen, so let’s go over the five healthy habits you can adopt right now as a family that will bring you closer together.

Teach children empathy and gratitude

As a parent, you have many roles to play in your kids’ lives, one of which is to do your best to instill positive values into their developing hearts and minds.

Two of the most important values that will guide your children on the way to becoming thriving, happy, and loving adults are empathy and gratitude.

Keep in mind that young children typically aren’t able to grasp the concept of empathy on their own, so it’s important that you show them what it means to empathize with others and why it’s important.

What’s more, remember that children need to learn about gratitude in order to learn humility and the importance of inner peace and happiness later in life, so be sure to show them how to practice giving thanks on a regular basis, and make it a healing ritual for the whole family.

Spend more time outside

Children spend way too much time indoors, but the same can be said for their parents. Before the technological revolution, families used to spend more quality time in the parks and the outskirts of the city, exploring the natural surroundings and soaking in the sights, sounds, and aromas of the great outdoors.

Nowadays, millennial parents are jeopardizing their health, and the health of their children by being cooped up indoors staring at the big screen. In the UK alone, children spend half as much time outdoors as their parents did!

Needless to say, it’s imperative that you break this unhealthy habit and make regular weekly excursions into nature with your family members a part of your new routine.

Luckily, more and more modern parents are realizing the importance of being connected to nature around the world, so be sure to become a part of the “natural revolution”.

Make every moment count

You can’t spend quality time with your family all day long, after all, you have to go to work and tend to various other chores, and your kids need to go to school or kindergarten. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t structure this time apart to be productive and ultimately help you connect with your loved ones. Parents in China and Honk Kong, for example, have been pioneering this concept in recent years.

In the developed economies of eastern Asia, young parents are enrolling their children in programs that focus on sensory, physical, and creative education and workshops that aim to maximize the emotional, physical, and cognitive development of crawlers and toddlers.

(A wonderful example is Bebegarten Education Center of Hong Kong)

These types of education centers are starting to pop up all over the world, creating a great opportunity for you to make your time apart as productive as possible.

Eat healthily and exercise together

It should go without saying that you should uphold the rituals of family meals with your loved ones.

But it’s not just about eating together, it’s also about making sure that you’re preparing and eating healthy meals with your kids and that you’re teaching them about the importance of healthy eating.

What’s more, be sure to make it a habit to exercise several times a week as a family, in order to make it fun and engaging, and to bond in the process.

Communicate in an honest and transparent way

And finally, always emphasize the importance of honest and transparent communication in your household.

Don’t let yourself or your family members keep anything bottled up inside, instead, help your kids understand that they can always confide in you and that honest communication is the key to happiness in all areas of their lives. One day, honest communication will help them connect with their own families as well.

Wrapping up

This fast-paced world we live in can be a dangerous place. One day you are feeling perfectly connected with your loved ones, and the next day you’re speaking a different language altogether. Don’t let this happen to your family.

Instead, use these healthy habits to preserve your loving relationship for years to come!