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Respect what your partner does, and what they want to do. By allowing each other a certain amount of latitude you actually nurture a sense of trust, cooperation, appreciation, and self-worth.
Maintaining a solid relationship is about promoting positive interactions, which also means voicing positive criticism when necessary. This is according to guidelines recommended by the Gottman Institute.
Research undertaken by the Gottman Institute suggests that for every one negative feeling or interaction between partners, there must be five positive feelings or interactions. Therefore, the more compliments you pay your partner, the more healthy and productive the relationship.
Positive interaction extends to taking responsibility for your part in any arguments or heated discussions. Disagreements are rarely one-sided. Always be prepared to take your share of the blame.
There's nothing wrong with bringing out the mischievous child in one another. Being playful is fun. If he wears one, joke about the father-in-law's dreadful mustache. Or what about Auntie's messy bird's nest hairdo? You get the idea.
Learn to be generous, even when your partner is not making much sense, or when they are out to get you. Giving somebody the benefit of the doubt serves as a great leveler, and can be quite transformative when it comes to resentment.
Feeling trapped or disconnected? Most relationship therapists will tell you that these are feelings that shouldn't be ignored. Instead, discuss them openly with your partner. This self-awareness will help you communicate your concerns more effectively and, rather than widen the emotional gap, will likely bring you both closer together.
There are a number of coping strategies out there designed to create better connections with your children.
In this digital age, it's important to maintain personal contact with your kids every day. Remembering to stop, look, and listen is key in cementing a loving and caring relationship with offspring.
That said, identify the best time to interact with youngsters. You'll want to enjoy quality time with them at their most responsive. This may be in the morning, during the day, or early evening. The best thing to do is inquire beforehand as to when they want time alone with you.
In their early teens, kids need eight to 10 hours of sleep a night. The odd lie in now and then won't harm them.
Getting kids off to bed is often a challenge. But once they've met the sandman, let them sleep. A good night's rest is crucial to a child's physical and mental development.
Having extra pairs of hands around the house is never a bad thing. And while most kids enjoy taking on responsibility, you'll very likely need to strike a deal in order to motivate them.
Reward their efforts by offering something in return. For example, washing up or helping with mopping the floor in exchange for extra screen time, or an extra 30 minutes of playtime.
Instead, articulate requests or suggestions in a snappy, simple, and animated manner.
It's very easy—and sometimes necessary—to scold a child for doing something wrong. But it's far more constructive to acknowledge the good stuff, and heap praise accordingly.
According to Psychology Today, it's a mistake for parents to obsess over their children's happiness. In fact, many child psychologists warn against pressuring kids to be happy. Feeling a variety of emotions is important for adolescent growth, and this includes sometimes experiencing frustration and failure. Parents should show them that life is not always a bed of roses.
Most parents at some point will experience a falling out with their children. Tantrums, moods, and plenty of door-slamming are inevitable. When these episodes occur, step back and reach for the photo album or mobile device and revisit them as gurgling wide-eyed babies, and remind yourself just how precious your offspring are.
Countering the effects of adult sibling rivalry begins at home. Parents need to treat their kids fairly and equally into adulthood. Close bonding should be encouraged. Later in life, this friendship will become even more important because once parents have gone, siblings remain the last connection to their family of origin.
Allow in-laws to live by the rules they made and have grown up with. Everybody conforms to a particular way of life, and everybody is different. And while theirs might not be a path you want to follow, the life your father-in-law and mother-in-law have chosen to lead needs to be accepted by the rest of the family.
Family get-togethers or holidays can be seen by some as an invasion of personal space. The trick is to make sure there is a room or space to which people can retreat, maybe with a book or magazine. They can always regroup later.
It's good to talk. But being curious is even better. By asking questions rather than making statements an individual sees things in a different or broader way. Chat with a like-minded friend or relative and a whole new world of possibility opens up.
In the Internet age, the text message is ubiquitous. But it needn't be. Keep in touch by randomly writing letters or postcards and mailing them to an elderly nearest or dearest. They'll love rediscovering the novelty of corresponding by post.
Remember, you don't have to get along with everyone. Not all relatives are likable. But before passing judgment, ask yourself whether it's your own prejudices getting in the way of appreciating a particular individual. Being more tolerant of their foibles is a shortcut to finding a middle ground.
Ultimately it's about loving what you've got and learning to live with your relatives. Rather than find fault, play on their strengths. This way, everybody will get more out of the relationship.
Sources: (Harvard Health) (The Gottman Institute) (Marriage) (Verywell Family) (Psychology Today) (Everyday Health)
See also: Balancing work and family: Strategies for success.
Let's begin by exploring the relationship between partners. A good relationship is about give and take. It's about making compromises. Don't try and do everything together.
Nothing turns a young mind off more than being lectured to. Kids hate sermons. So, what's the answer?
Sibling rivalry is commonplace. But if this conflict is taken into adulthood, perhaps by differing opinions, hostile behavior, or competing interests, then there's a real danger of a once happy relationship becoming tarnished or even estranged. So, what's the answer?
Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, healthier, and tend to live longer, notes Harvard Health.
However, the Internet is useful when arranging large family gatherings, an anniversary party for example. Assuming everyone's connected, schedule in advance a Zoom conversation or similar so that family members are all on the same page before the get-together. And of course, there's always the phone.
What works best for couples is often the smallest of gestures, a drink together perhaps, or a hug. A few shared moments can make all the difference.
Getting along in family is never easy. Even when there is much love and lots of good intentions, family gatherings tend to be a challenge for either big or small families. A simple thing such as ordering a pizza or deciding what game to play on a rainy evening can start a fight and raise old conflicts that weren't really well resolved.
Being in family is not easy, requires a lot of work, but it's important and rewarding when everybody finally live in harmony. If you are struggling with your loved ones, take a look a this galleries and find easy tips to help you improve your relationship with them.
How you can strengthen your relationship with your family
30 ways to create better connections with your loved ones
LIFESTYLE Society
Getting along in family is never easy. Even when there is much love and lots of good intentions, family gatherings tend to be a challenge for either big or small families. A simple thing such as ordering a pizza or deciding what game to play on a rainy evening can start a fight and raise old conflicts that weren't really well resolved.
Being in family is not easy, requires a lot of work, but it's important and rewarding when everybody finally live in harmony. If you are struggling with your loved ones, take a look a this galleries and find easy tips to help you improve your relationship with them.