What FAMILY can bring into your life and why it is so important…
Mother Teresa said it best, “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”
All families are unique. In today’s world, we can get so wrapped up on materialistic items, money, success, family, and popularity that we miss out on what is truly important – our FAMILY. At times, we can take for granted those individuals who are always there, who love us through the darkness and the light, the good times and the bad.
What FAMILY can bring into your life and why it is so important…
F- FRIENDSHIP, Family instills in you the ability to form bonds with others. They teach children essential life skills and ideas that go hand in hand with their friendship decisions as they navigate relationships and parenthood. Parents not only teach their children, but also learn themselves. Together family members never stop learning and growing.
A- ACOUNTABILITY, Family members do an excellent job of holding each other accountable for their behavior. Whether it’s the parents attempting to help ensure their children make healthy decisions or their children making sure parents truly remember what is most important. Accountability brings growth and maturity.
M- MESSY, Although most people do not associate the word “messy” with the word “family,” not every family is flawless. Every family has its own problems and challenges to conquer. The key is that each family chooses to overcome its difficulties, and their strength in doing so strengthens their bond. It is crucial to keep in mind that no one is perfect and that everyone makes “mistakes.”
I – INFLUENTIAL, Parents are often unaware of how much effect they have on their children’s lives. Every child and teen values their parents’ opinions and allows their actions to affect their behavior. Parents serve as role models for their children, and their behaviors have a significant impact on how their children act and live their lives. Siblings influence each other by how the older sibling teaches the younger one and/or how the younger sibling looks up to their older brother or sister.
L- LOVE, Love is inextricably linked to family. In families, the phrase “I may not like them, but I love them” is frequently used because even if you don’t like your sibling or parents at the time, you can always be certain of one thing: you love them. Even while love comes naturally in a family, everyone must work hard to make it visible. It can be tough to do at times, but a family’s bond can overcome the difficulties families face.
Y- YOUTHFUL, Families’ youthfulness is frequently transmitted through the children, and it might go away as the children grow older. Most individuals have no idea their children may miss the carefree days they had when they were younger. Embracing the simple things parents used to do when their children were little is one-way parents may bring this youthfulness back to their homes. Even when your child is older, you can still take him/her on fun day trips or have “date lunches or dinners” with them.
Make TODAY count for we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Let’s get back to the basics and build our FAMILY CONNECTIONS.
“The memories we make with our family are everything.” – Candace Cameron Bure
Written by:
Emma Schruijer (LHS Graduate and Intern with EnSpire Counseling & Wellness)
Leah McMillan, DPA, LMFT, CFRC (Founder/Owner/Clinical Therapist of EnSpire Counseling & Wellness)