The importance of Family Bonding

Dominique Parenting Views building relationships, family bonding

* Post has been updated since it was first published in 2009.*

A tightly knit family is like a solid rock which can survive

the toughest storm- Dominique

Family Bonding is the process that members of a family go through to build up emotional ties which would last them a lifetime.  Is the first and most important relationship that we are exposed to since birth.

As one grows older and the kids get bigger sometimes we can get so caught up with work and providing the basic needs  that we neglect the need for family bonding.  It is very important to constantly work at maintaining the dynamics within a family in order for every member to function at their optimal level.

In times of crisis family is the one who is always there to

support and help us.

I’m sure this statement resonates well with some of you based on your own personal experiences in life.

In 2004  I felt that we were finally a family when Monkey Boy was born.  Fast forward to 2009 as a mother of two boys I feel even more strongly about the need for family bonding.

Now in 2011 I’m a mother of  three with a two boys and a little girl the dynamics of the family has drastically changed since then but it’s still work in progress to get the family to bond.

The best present we can give our children is the sense of being love and treasured as a member of the family. It beats all the fancy toys or holidays that we can bring them on.

5 Ways to build up your family bond

There are many different activities which you can do as a family to build up a close relationship with all the family members.

1. Have your meals together regularly. For us we make it a point to have dinner with the kids at least 5 days a week. We also get the kids to participate in setting and clearing the table.
2. Do not be quick to judge the other person.Nobody is perfect. When a mistake is made do be supportive of the other person so that he will be able to learn from his mistakes.
3. Do plan family activities.For us we go rollerblading together as a family. After dinner we spend time reading books or playing games with the kids.
   We also schedule outdoor family activities on weekends which everyone can  take part in.
4. Give each member their own space and freedom to self develop. 

   No one likes to be restrained and dictated upon. We are not animals who have to be put on leash. Everyone grows and matures at their own pace so patience is needed.

5. Respect individual difference and opinions.

   Even at the age of two, Doggie Boy  does have a mind of his own. It will be extremely exhausting and frustrating if I try to force him to comply with what I want him to do if he is unwilling.  This sometimes end up at me shouting at him and he bawling away in defiance. Instead of dictating my will on him I try to reason with him and normally we are able to come to a compromise which leaves both parties happy.

What do you do to build up your family bond?