May 15th is International Day of Families. The observation celebrates the importance of family and encourages individuals to reflect on their relationships with loved ones. But, sometimes these relationships can become strained and require work.
There are multiple signs to help identify if there is tension in your family. While some are small and others are more obvious, a few things to look out for are:
- Difficulty being open, honest and having healthy communication
- Frequent fights or bickering
- Passive-aggressive behavior
- Physical, emotional or verbal abuse
- Perfectionism or high standards within the family
- Disagreements on household chores or parenting styles
- Lacking trust
Although some issues are more common than others, all should be addressed in a timely manner. A great way to lighten the tension and improve familial difficulties is to take time out of the day (or week!) to spend time together.
Some fun activities that may help ease tensions include:
- Having a Family Fun Night: Board games, movies, sweet treats. Need we say more?
- Going outside: It’s true that nature is good medicine.
- Packing up lunch and having a picnic: Be sure to bring your toys!
- Visit a park: There is something for everyone! From camping to fishing, or just taking a hike.
- Doing a random act of kindness: The best way to cure a bad mood is to help someone develop a good mood!
We understand that easing family difficulties requires more than just an afternoon or evening spent doing activities together. You might also consider getting help from an elder or counselor to deal with deeper seated issues.
All in all, no family is perfect. But be resilient and cherish the bonds with those closest to your heart. Let us never forget that in trying times comes great opportunities to reflect and strengthen our relationships.
