How to Create Strong Family Bonds

Strong families are aware of their family's strengths and opportunities for improvement. They maintain healthy relationships and employ positive parenting techniques.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln conducted research on families that feel they are flourishing. "What makes your family strong?" was the question asked of family members across all 50 states and 27 countries. Here is what these households had to say about six strengths similar for all cultures.

Families are the centerpiece, foundational social units throughout all human societies all over the world. It is in everyone's best interests to contribute to the creation of a pleasant environment for all families.

Six family qualities are used to build healthy environments

1. Gratitude and affection. These are about taking care of one another as a family. Sharing pleasurable emotional sentiments with one another and being kind to one another are just a few ways that families express their gratitude and affection.

2. Commitment. Members of strong families demonstrate a firm commitment to one another by devoting time and energy to family activities and not allowing work or other responsibilities to take too much time away from familial connection. Trusting, respecting, and embracing your family comes with commitment.

3. Effective communication. Positive communication is crucial for a happy household. It should be upfront, honest, and direct. Positive communication is telling others how you feel, negotiating or agreeing to disagree, and furthermore praising and complimenting each other.

Effective communication happens at many different levels and with different family members. It requires both connecting with your partner and talking to children, resolving conflicts and staying together.

4. Joyful family time. Time together should be enjoyable. When mature people reflect on their upbringing, it is the joyous experiences that they treasure. Families should make an effort together to develop traditions and rituals that will give them many happy memories. These do not have to cost a lot of money or resources. Family activities and enjoyment are just making time to spend together. Sharing meals as a family is one way to spend quality time together.

5. Spiritual well-being. Spiritual well-being refers to a family's hope, faith, and positive thinking. It's either their sacred ties or their religion and spirituality. Care, encouragement, and kindness are all manifestations of spiritual well-being in families.

6. Successful stress and crisis management. Strong families are able to deal with pressure and crisis in their lives in constructive, innovative ways. They collaborate rather than compete. Crisis and distress present chances to support other family members, and helping others may help oneself.