4 Tips to Developing Healthy Family Patterns
Today, we’ll be talking about some healthy ways to develop healthy family patterns. A couple of weeks ago, we discussed what family roles are. In order to make sure your family gets along and can thrive together, below are some tips to developing healthy family patterns:
Be Flexible – Each individual in a family has a different personality with varying character traits. It’s important to remember that if someone is related to you, that they actually have 2 different roles: the first role is they are a family member and the second role is that they are a human being. With that said, it is perfectly normal to feel different emotions towards this person – ranging from happy to being annoyed to irritated to ecstatic. If at all possible, practice flexibility when dealing with a family member’s personality. Remember that they may be doing the best they can, and their personality traits may be what they have developed over the years. AKA try not to take it personally!
Develop Healthy Communication Skills – Communication can look different with each family, and between different family members. It is possible to develop and find ways to use healthy communication skills. These healthy skills can actually increase active listening, patience, and understanding. Active listening refers to a pattern of listening that keeps you engaged – meaning you are actually paying attention to what the other person is saying, instead of focusing on how you will respond to them. Patience is the capacity you have to accept and tolerate what the other person is saying without getting upset. And lastly, understanding is the ability to comprehend what the other person is saying and getting an idea of their point of view. These healthy communication skills can actually go a long way in helping your family communicate better.
Spend Quality Time – One way to strengthen family relationships is to spend quality time. Quality time is defined as time spent in giving another person undivided attention in order to develop a stronger relationship. We live in a society where time is of the essence; meaning, we can all become so busy with life. Within a family unit, quality time can really help to develop stronger communication with each individual, increased patience, and can also help you become closer to each family member. Giving someone your undivided attention can help them feel important, special, and help to increase their individual self-esteem. Quality time is incredibly important.
Practice Healthy Detachment – last week, I discussed healthy detachment [this can be defined as letting go emotionally of a person or situation without ignoring them or avoiding them]. This concept may be new to you, but it is something you can put into practice. It is important to be able to understand healthy detachment, because as you go through life and have different experiences, you may find that you will have different forms of attachment with people you may have known for quite some time. It is normal to practice healthy detachment at different times in your life with different people.
The goal is for the family [and each individual in the family] to live an emotionally and physically healthy life.
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