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Our lives are often hectic and sometimes it feels as if there are not enough hours in the day. Work and school often tie up daily schedules so much that family and friends fall by the wayside. It is important that families make time each week to spend quality time with each other. There are 5 things that a family can do together in order to strengthen their interpersonal relationships.
Exercise
Going for a group run or bike ride will both increase natural endorphins and give a chance to motivate each other. For families with smaller children, going on a group outing to the local park will be a fun activity that is both relaxing and will get some much-needed energy expended. Exercising as a family creates good memories for the future, and does not cost much for families wanting to save money on activities.
Cleaning
Cleaning the house as a family is beneficial because it teaches good habits. When parents instill a sense of pride in their children by keeping a clean house, it increases the chances of them doing the same as adults. Having a clean house also provides many health benefits such as removing dust, allergens, germs, and bacteria. Important tasks of cleaning the house include tile cleaning, upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and washing all the bedding in the rooms. Having a clean and organized home has shown to improve mental well-being, so the entire family will have less stress.
Reading Together
Evidence shows that family reading time correlates with more success in life. Reading provides a pathway to creating deeper bonds between parents and children. This is a good way to create long lasting memories that will be cherished forever. Reading together has also shown that it improves vocabulary, creating a large advantage for children when they are in school. Last, reading as a family has shown to improve self-esteem and communication skills. Having a large vocabulary will make it easier to communicate both verbally and in writing. A child finding the words they need to express themselves improves their self-image.
Having Dinner Together
Sitting down at the table as a family gives everyone time to slow down and truly connect with one another. Dinnertime is an important part of the day for everyone to have a chance to communicate and share important information going on in their lives. It has been said that a family that breaks bread together, stays together. Dinnertime vocabulary has even shown to be more informative than reading together. Researchers have found a consistent correlation between family meals and academic performance in teens, families need this time to bond.
Prioritize Marriage
One of the most important things parents can do for their children is to prioritize their marriage so that they can be good role models. Relationships between parents will be the biggest example children will look to for their future relationships. Children should be able to see that their parents love one another and treat each other right, this is what they will aspire to in the future. Strong marriages are important because it creates a strong parenting team where they are both on the same page. Having strong communication will make it more likely that parents will understand each other and support each other when it comes to parenting decisions. A strong marriage creates a strong foundation for the entire family and gives children the building blocks they need to have successful relationships in the future.
Bonding time is important and all of these activities have shown to directly improve family well-being. It is of utmost importance that parents take time each week so that they can strengthen their relationships with each other and their children. A happy child is a successful child.
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