Photo by cottonbro studio
Sometimes, it seems like the world has gone topsy-turvy. People are so enamored with the virtual and the distant that they overlook what is near and what is tangible. There is no more thing so affected than family.
The importance of being together with family cannot be overstated, especially when we talk about a child’s development.
The primary avenue of a child’s development, especially in their early years, is family.
Family is who gives them safety and environment. It is through family that the impetus for emotional and intellectual growth is first sparked.
The Bounty of Togetherness
Because of our increasingly atomized reality, people are slowly forgetting the bounty of togetherness and the joy of being with family. Don’t you remember the fuzzies you felt during your childhood? When children feel loved and are supported and valued by their loved ones, the possibility of developing a positive self-image and a sense of belonging is more likely.
Moreover, with family, it is much easier to express yourself. Your emotions and your concerns are better taken seriously. Having open communication with family members helps children better manage their emotions and challenges that they may encounter later in life.
Photo by RDNE Stock project
When children know that they have people they can rely on, they have a better outlook on life.
The togetherness of family, whether it is manifested through family dinners, outings or game nights, create memories that last throughout their lifetimes—memories that they can look back to whenever they will feel lonely or isolated in the future.
The Bounty of Togetherness: Social Development
By observing and interacting with family, children have the opportunity to practice their social skills. Through their day-to-day within the household, children acquire empathy, cooperation and how to resolve conflicts.
When children look at their parents, their siblings, their grandparents, their aunts and uncles treating each other with respect and kindness, they will adopt these behaviors themselves.
Furthermore, family togetherness can be a good springboard for learning how to develop stronger friendships. When your family teaches you to be more secure and confident with yourself, you are more likely to be open and approachable to others.
This is a wonderful start to making friendships that last.
The Bounty of Togetherness: Overall Health
The overall health of a child is also much better with family togetherness. Love and support keep children from engaging in riskier behaviors like substance abuse, peer pressure, and unhealthy eating habits.
Just being with family also promotes physical activity through going on family trips, attending family get-togethers, whatever else and everything in between.
Additionally, being with family does wonders for mental health. Families serve as emotional and psychological anchors and when children feel this connection more keenly, they have a better understanding of themselves and a wider repertoire of coping with the stress of the world. Togetherness provides purpose and meaning for a lot of people.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov
Promoting Family Togetherness
Family togetherness is an ongoing project that never ends. It requires everyone to put in effort, so here are some ideas on how to keep the ball going.
- Establish family routines. Even if it’s just a day or night out of the month, having consistent routines like family dinners and game nights helps create stability and predictability.
- Limit screen time. Whenever each family member is present, make sure that all phones are down (or, at least, limited), so that organic interaction actually takes place.
- Communicate openly. Encourage an atmosphere of openness and honesty. Allow everyone time and space to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of undue judgment.
- Show appreciation. Always express gratitude and appreciation because this only strengthens family bonds. Make a conscious effort to let each member of the family know how much you appreciate them.
- Seek professional help. Of course, keeping family together can often be really, really difficult. As such, you may need some professional help, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Be brave and reach out to a therapist or a counselor to get the proper guidance and support.
Dr. LeAnna Hale-Ball’s We Ate Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s House is a perfect window to family togetherness and finding joy in being with family. There is nothing more wondrous than being with people you love, so if you’re looking to get a better glimpse of family life, click this link!
- How Reading Together Strengthens Parent-Child Relationships - November 27, 2024
- Why Family Storytelling is Essential for Building Strong Bonds - November 21, 2024
- Learning the Alphabet: A Vital Part in Early Literacy - October 30, 2024
