Three Important Things HAPPY FAMILIES Do...Because Happy Families Don't Just Happen

Steering your family in the right direction

Many of us drift through life, assuming and hoping things will happen the way we want them to, but we are often disappointed. Family is one of those things we don’t believe we need to worry about. We just assume everything will turn out great. But the truth is, that’s not always the case. Many families have on-going arguments, siblings who won’t talk, or kids who move away and rarely come back. By the time it happens, it’s difficult to fix. Family used to happen naturally generations ago when everyone sat down to dinner and Sunday afternoons were saved for relaxing visits to grandma’s house. Like it or not, we have gotten into the habit of being busy. It’s a bad habit because it puts work before family and accomplishments before connections.

Fifty years ago, no one thought twice about exercising or whether something was safe to eat. Now we need to be intentional about both those things just to stay healthy. The same thing has happened to “Family Life” and we need to make that a priority as well.

Imagine you’re in a rowboat, floating down the river of life. You have two choices. You can drift along and go wherever the river takes you, which may or may not be where you want to go. Or you can pick up a paddle and steer yourself and your family in the direction you choose. Since you are reading this article, you believe family is important, and you’re looking for tips. So, pat yourself on the back. There are some very simple things you can do to create a happy family. We call them the HAPPY FAMILY HABITS.

Happy Family Habits

The "HAPPY FAMILY" we all want, which is less stressful and more joyful than what most parents are experiencing today, has gotten lost in the shuffle of technology and overscheduled kids. HAPPY FAMILY HABITS make it easy for families to get what they need with less effort and less stress. These habits are based on the “protective factors” that protect families from the negative influences that surround us.

The HAPPY FAMILY HABITS are activities we can do with our families in just 10 minutes a day, many of which can take place at the dinner table. These habits give us peace of mind and leave us feeling guilt-free, knowing we have given our loved ones what they need. We can teach our children the value of honesty, kindness, respect and responsibility, create a joyful sense of family togetherness, and build traditions and memories that will bring our grown children back home every holiday. The HAPPY

FAMILY HABITS make all this possible by helping families understand what to do and when to do it. They are the key ingredients to a healthy diet for modern family life. They protect us and our families from the inside out.

Research tells us that the 3 most important things happy families do are FAMILY TALK, FAMILY FUN, and FAMILY MEMORIES. 

1.    FAMILY TALK: They sit down to meals and talk about life. They share their day, their highs and lows, their problems and disappointments. They help each other look for solutions. They celebrate victories, big and little. They connect. And it doesn’t have to be dinner. It can be breakfast or a bedtime snack, and it doesn’t have to be every day. Even 3 or 4 times a week has a big impact on children’s well-being.

2.    FAMILY FUN: They set aside time to have fun together – maybe once a week - without the distraction of technology. This helps build loving relationships and creates a sense of belonging. It doesn’t matter what they do, as long as everyone participates and respects the wishes of other family members: It could be board games, riding bikes, baking cookies, building Legos, doing puzzles, or a tea party with stuffed bears.

3.    FAMILY MEMORIES: They celebrate family life with holiday activities & family traditions that create happy memories which are the building blocks of close family ties. These powerful memories are what bring adult children back home for the holidays. It’s easy to celebrate something every month. There are holidays, birthdays, various graduations, and any kind of milestone you can think of from baby’s first step to Tommy’s first job.

If you want a happy family life,

start by creating your own HAPPY FAMILY HABITS...

Learn about REAL-LIFE Parenting

REAL-LIFE is a new parenting style that’s getting a lot of attention from parents who are tired of exhausting and overwhelming parenting strategies that don’t feel right, don’t seem to be working, or do more damage than good. REAL-LIFE is a balanced way of parenting that respects the needs of both parents and children. It’s about being REAL, being REALISTIC, and preparing kids for REAL LIFE. To learn more, click below.

What does a REAL-LIFE Parenting Member get?

The REAL- LIFE Parenting Membership offers a surprisingly simple step-by-step SUCCESS PATH that can transform your family life from chaotic and stressful to balanced and joyful. Click below and you will see the SUCCESS PATH, Trackers, LET’S TALK Conversation Starters, MINDSET Mini-Tools, 3-IN-1 FAMILY FUN Bundles, and other benefits that are included in this $14/month membership program.