Human nature causes us to crave love, attention, and relationships with others. With the alarming rate of divorce in our society, couples need to work harder than ever before to become a better spouse and avoid becoming just another statistic. A healthy marriage is built upon 2 individuals that genuinely love and care for one another. They think of their spouse's needs throughout their daily activities and they do things that will make them happy. Here are some tips to help you choose the right spouse and to be a better spouse:

Tip # 1 - Choose carefully

Choosing the person you marry is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. If you are a religious person, you may have been brought up in a loving home where your parents committed to their marriage and their faith. Children of these homes tend to have a stronger commitment to their own marriages as may of them are taught that divorce is not an option unless there is abuse, cheating, or another large problem. When you make the decision to get married, you need to weight it carefully because not everyone is suitable for one another. You may be happy with this person, but you will need to work 10 times harder to make the marriage work.

Almost everyone that has gotten divorced has had a problem with communication in their marriage. A flourishing marriage can quickly turn sour if you do not spend time communicating with your spouse. This means much more than just talking to them, it means you need to listen to them. Take their needs to heart and give them your undivided attention when they are talking. If you are watching television or doing other activities while your spouse is talking, you are simply showing them that what they have to say doesn't really matter.

If your spouse has annoying habits, you can let them bother you or you can learn to cope with them. Remember that you have annoying habits too. However, if you want to talk to them about it, be polite and let them know things you are willing to do to make the marriage better. Think of their feelings before you say something, it can really hurt them and cause contention in the marriage.

Tip # 3 - Tone

Watch your tone with your spouse. Responding sarcastically to a serious statement can hurt their feelings and cause problems in the marriage. You and your spouse are a team; you should not yell and scream at them. Remember that this is your best friend and you need to treat them as your equal. Would you like it if your spouse was yelling and screaming at you? If you are upset with other things like work issues, take them out at the gym and on a punching bag, not your spouse. You should never unload your anger for other things on your spouse. Watch your tone of voice at all times and learn how to apologize if you were short or rude with your spouse.

Tip # 4 - Quality Time

One important thing you need to remember is to spend quality time with your spouse. Date each other again and go away on cruises and romantic weekends. Even spend time eating dinner together to make your marriage work. Learn how to give your spouse some free time to do their own activities. You don't have to do everything together. If they like to play Xbox and you like to read, plan to spend 30-60 minutes apart each day to engage in the activities you both enjoy.

In every relationship we have face some type of struggle. Most of the struggles or issues we come across are solved fairly quickly. Then there are the ones that we deal with on a daily basis that can turn into something we deal with for a long time. No relationship is perfect and there is no one way to sidestep having troubles. Marriage and divorce is at a two to one ratio. Some ways that you can handle the troubles in your relationship is listed below.

One of the first things we can all do to help out a relationship that is in trouble is communication. When we see a problem arise we will either bottle that emotion up or we unleash that emotion without thinking. You have to find a happy medium that will make all parties happy. Ask your partner to listen to you with an open mind and to not take anything you say personal. These are feelings and concerns that you want to express and have them take the time to understand. When you are done talking about your feeling, you must give your partner a chance to express themselves in return. Hearing something you don't want to hear is always hard, but listen, you may learn something about yourself you didn't know.

Watch your words carefully. Your partner or friend may have said or done something to upset you. 90% of the time these things happen and the other party doesn't even know that they have done it. When you confront your friend or partner, watch what you say. You cannot take words or actions back after you have said of done them. Words can be very hurtful and harmful. Take your time to get your thoughts and emotions together before you confront the other individual and when you don't react if they try to defend themselves. They may be feeling as if you are attacking them. If they do not respond right away, give them time to get their own emotions and feelings put together just like you had to.

The common trouble a couple and friendship faces is forgiveness. Being forgiven or doing the forgiving can be very hard. If you are the one that needs to do give forgiveness, do so in a timely manner and then respect yourself and your friend and partner by letting the past go. Once you have forgiven, you have no reason to bring up what was done wrong again. If you live off of what happened, the relationship is going to become more strained because of the stress of not being forgiven.

If you can't seem to find the happy ground of forgiveness, you might need to seek some help and advice from a professional. Many therapists or counselors can help you to work thru your emotions and feelings. Remember that not all relationships are perfect and you are going to have trouble. Going thru trouble in a relationship can help you build a bond that is unbreakable and will help you grow as an individual as well as a couple or friends.

Stress is a part of everyone's lives. Stress can be positive or it can be negative. Negative stress causes a lot of problems like anxiety, confusion, and miscommunication. When there is a lot of stress in a family dynamic, it can be particularly difficult for family members to get along in harmony and it can lead to depression among many people. Being in a constant state of stress will start to take its toll on you physically and mentally. Positive stress can make you stronger as it teaches you how to overcome problems and tackle your fears. However, most people experience more negative stress than positive stress. To reduce the family stress in your home, here are some tips that can help:

One of the best ways to reduce stress in the home is to get out of the home and spend some quality time together. Make time to get away for a couple hours and participate in fun activities like indoor sky diving, swimming, and miniature golf. If possible, try to take at least one big family vacation per year. This gives you the opportunity to re-connect as a family unit and to get away from the daily stresses you all encounter.

Tip # 2 - Laugh

Turn off the cell phones, i Pods, televisions, and other things that distract you from having a conversation with your family. Sit around the table and eat dinner together and laugh together. Play board games like Twister and reminisce over past experiences you have shared together. Laughter is one of the best ways to reduce stress and to bring a family closer together.

Tip # 3 - Go outside

Far too often we become slaves to television shows, computers, and other things. Instead of spending all your time inside, get outside and experience the world. Take your family hiking and spend time in nature. Try to get everyone in your family to exercise on a daily basis for at least 30 minutes. Exercise also helps to reduce stress and tension and it uplifts everyone's mood. Regular exercise can help you prepare your body to effectively handle stress. Exercise helps you sleep better and it relaxes the muscles, all which help to reduce stress.

Tip # 4 - Meditation and Quiet Time

Stress can come from a variety of different things; one way to reduce it in the home is to have regular quiet time. Set aside 15-30 minutes where everyone will read a book or close their eyes and relax. Meditation can help to improve your life and it can help you handle stress more effectively. Mediation can bring you inner piece and it can draw you closer together as a family unit so you will be able to handle the different situations easier. Mediation also allows you to focus on specific things, which helps you to concentrate on the needs of your family. Pick a book for the entire family to read together. This is a wonderful way to teach your younger children how to read and it allows everyone to get their mind off the stressful activities of the day and focus on a different world. Reading motivational books can also help you handle problems, especially when it comes to making big decisions like a new job or moving.

Tip # 5 - Rest

Make sure everyone in your home is able to get a proper night's rest. Children need 10 hours of sleep or more, adults need about 8-10. Having a proper nights rest will rejuvenate the body and it helps to decrease stress. Getting a good night's rest also enhances your immune system and it helps to reduce the stress hormone in the muscles.

No one starts a marriage thinking that it will end in divorce. We all hope we have made a good decision with the person we choose to marry. It seems that everyone you talk to has come from a broken home or they have been divorced at least once. Here are some sad statistics on divorce in America:

• The divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%


• The divorce rate in America for second marriage is 60%


• The divorce rate in America for third marriage is 73%

Everyone is hurt by divorce, no one wants to see two people that were once in love fall out of love and go their separate ways. Sadly divorced individuals tend to withdraw from family activities and their grandparents are the ones that suffer the most. On average, a divorced individual will see their grandparents once every five years.

This is a huge gap compared to when they are married and they will see that at least one time a year.

Divorce can be a shock to a group of friends as they are suddenly forced to make the decision which person to choose. Their plans for outings and even date nights are now shattered and they are forced to look for a new couple to do things with or spend time with each person on a one-on-one basis. Most couples that end their marriages do not think about all the people around them and the way it will impact their lives. Friends are put in a no-win situation. Families usually rally behind their blood, but it can be hard for them if they grew close to the spouse.

A common mistake couples make is having more children to "save" the marriage. Bringing children into a home where love is not present will hurt the child. You are not doing yourselves any favors by having more children and you are really hurting your children's futures.

Before anyone chooses to end their marriage, they need to give it one last try. Think back to the days when you first met your spouse and the love you shared for one another. Look for ways to rekindle this love through dating one another again. Find ways to hold strong to your spouse and lean on them to get through the rough times. No one has a perfect marriage, it does not exist. Even the happiest couples on the planet need to spend time making their marriage work. You are two different people and it takes time, sacrifice, patience, and love to make your marriage work.

Always seek the advice of a marriage counselor before you give up on your spouse. Talk to your spouse, not to your friends, about the state of your marriage. Remember that it is the two of you that built the marriage and it is up to the two of you to save it and keep it strong.

Most parents are at least 20 years older than their children, causing some kids to think their parent's ways are outdated and ancient. Once kids hit their teenage years, it can be difficult to find ways to connect with them, but it can be done with a little bit of work, determination, patience, and love. Here are some tips on how you can connect with your children.

Tip # 1 - Love

You can build great relationships with your children by letting them know how much you love them. A child needs to feel loved in order to have a feeling of self-worth. When a child is loved, they are less likely to act out and they are healthier. Make time to tell your children just how much you love them. Write them notes and put them in their backpack or in their bedroom. Every night, give them a hug and tell them you love them. Make your children feel special and happy.

Spend time getting to know your children. What type of activities do they like to participate in? Can you relate to some of the experiences they are going through? Spend time with your children doing activities you both enjoy. Go to a baseball game together, go to the spa, go hiking. Do things together that will get you out of the home where you can spend some time talking to one another. If you have multiple children, set aside a night each week to spend as one-on-one time with each child.

Tip # 3 - Patience

While you may have had a stressful day, do not take it out on your children. We all have out bad days here and there, but it's up to us to find a way to reduce stress and be happy and cheerful when we are around our children. Have patience when your children when they are rattling your ear off about the activities they did that day. Make time to listen to them and show them you are genuinely interested in their life. If you are frustrated with your children, take a deep breath and do not respond with impatient reactions.

Tip # 4 - Structure

Children thrive in a home that has structure. Without rules, children are free to parent themselves and this doesn't provide a happy home environment for anyone. Surprisingly enough, giving your child chores actually makes them happy. While they may grumble about it sometimes, they understand that it shows them how much you trust them because you are giving them some of your responsibilities. Make sure to thank them for the good work they do once they complete their chores, never punish them with chores, this will cause them to resent you and they may stop doing their chores altogether.

Tip # 5 - Play

One of the best ways to connect with your children is to play with them. Learn how to play some of their games, even if you aren't into sports. Laugh at yourself, this will build a connection with your children as you can look back on fond memories like this. Spend time doing fun activities as a family like playing board games for an entire evening or going to a movie together. Think back to when you were a child and let yourself get loose and run around on a jungle gym with your kids. Go to the park and play Frisbee or fly kites. Playing with your children will build a strong friendship and it helps to keep the two of you connected.

These are just a few tips that may help you connect with your children. If you are struggling still, seek the advice of a family counselor.

Building trust in your friendships that surround you can be a very challenging event. Finding a friend whom you can trust is a valuable source of your personal feelings. One in three people will confide in a friend about mistakes, personal feelings or goals. That is only 22% of the population that will share their true feelings with another.

Below are some suggestions and examples on how you can improve your friendships with others and how you can also become a better friend.

To begin, find someone that you share common goals and interests. Take your time when getting to know someone new; there is always more to a person that what meets the eye. Can you share your deepest feelings and emotions with this person? Can you also talk to them about your moods, what makes you happy and what your concerns are? Start by using your common subject and growing with it. Once you talk about that feeling, elaborate on how you feel about other things that are important to you or how you feel about another subject. Watch for your friend's reaction. If it is one that you trust you know you have found someone to confide in.

A simple of the head or a statement such as "I understand" will let them know that you are truly listening to their feelings. Wait until the appropriate time in the conversation to give them a suggestion or how you feel. This usually comes towards the end of the conversation. Your friend may even ask you to share your feelings with them. If your opinions are different than your friends, so compassion and respect when disagreeing, you don't want to start an argument and ruin the relationship you have worked so hard to build.

Once you find a connection in a friendship, build on it as much as you can. Don't let a subject go dull by always talking about the same thing. Find new things that you can have conversations about and find new activities you can do together. Being outdoors can improve a person's mood or attitude by 40%. Moving your body and having the sun on your face can help you to become more open about a subject. It can also give you the opportunity to dig down and find out what you need to talk about. The more you circulate your blood, the more your brain is going to work.

Show that you are a friend that can be trusted by example. If you tell a friend that you are going to come to their house to help them on a project or you are going to call by a certain time, follow thru. Doing so will show your friend that you are committed to your friendship and you want to be there to support them. If you find yourself in a circumstance that you cannot make it to a function that you have already committed to, show respect by calling your friend and letting them know that you cannot be there. You don't have to tell them why, but it will let your friend know that you care about them and that you care about their needs and their happiness.

Parents have no idea how much influence they have over their children. From the time we are born, we start learning things from the people we are around the most, which normally happen to be our parents. Being a role model may be a bit intimidating, but it is important to recognize this as your role as a parent. Think back to when your children were just learning the copy-cat game and they started repeating everything you would say and do. Now that you have older children and teenagers, you need to realize that your children still copy the way you do things, it is just in a different way now.

No matter what age we are, we study the words and actions of those around us. Children do this more so than others because they are trying to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable. Children study everything about you from the way you perform day-to-day activities to your expressions and your tone of voice. Keep this in mind the next time you become a little frustrated with your child.

To be a good role model for your children, you need to practice honesty. If your children ask you hard and shocking questions, provide them with honest answers. You don't always need to sugar-coat every answer you give them. Just make sure you put it into terms that they can understand.

Make it a goal to give-up some of your bad habits like smoking or slothfulness. If you need to drop a few pounds, let your children see you workout. They need to see that not everything in life comes easily and that hard work will help them get over physical, mental, and emotional problems. Let your children see you use your time wisely so they will manage their time properly.

One of the most difficult things that families can go through is when one member of the family has a serious illness. Whether the illness is traumatic and sudden or is a chronic problem this can cause serious stress on family ties. The illness of a family member changes the normal family dynamic in many different ways. This change can often accelerate the stress on the ties between family members. However there are steps that you can take that will help the additional stress of having a family member dealing with a serious illness. Here is what you can do when family ties are stressed by illness-

• Educate the all of the family members when appropriate. If you have a family member who is dealing with a serious illness it can really help family closeness if everyone knows what is going on. While young children may not be able to understand all of the information or ramifications you can still work with them to help them understand what is happening. This can also help promote family closeness because the family then feels that they are in the fight together with their ill family member.
• Consider family counseling. If you have a family member who is dealing with a long-term or life threatening illness it will dramatically change the day to day living aspect of your family. As the family routine is disrupted this can cause family members to grow apart. Family counseling can be a safe place for family members to address concerns, vent feelings and gain insight as to how other family members are feeling. This in turn can promote deeper family ties. In addition many children who are living in a home with a sick family member are often worried that this is their fault or that their parents may not love them the same etc. This can be a chance to reassure children that this is not the case.
• Try to take a break from the illness if you can. If parents are caught up in doctor's visits, therapy etc it can seem like that is all the family is doing. If you can try to take a break from anything that has to do with the illness (this can help the sick family member too). This may mean a picnic in the park, movie night at home or some other way that all the family members can reconnect that has nothing to do with the illness. This can not only deepen family ties but reassure all family members that life goes on despite the problems that are occurring.
• Reassure each family member that they are valued and loved within the family. Setting up a spotlight time for each family member even in the middle of a medical crisis can be a good thing. Taking the time to recognize each family member for what they are doing (outside of the current medical situation) validates how important each member of your family is. Notes, phone calls (even between siblings) and small acts of kindness can go a long way toward relieving the stress that having a sick family member brings. An no matter the prognosis of the ill family member reassuring each person in the family that things will be all right can go a long way to strengthening family ties.
• Have the family become involved where they can. Sometimes family members (especially siblings of an ill child) feel left out and helpless. If appropriate have your child or children become involved in some productive way. Whether volunteering in the hospital, doing a "cause walk" or simply relieving parents at the bedside of the ill family member can make each person feel involved and close to the other family members.

In today's ever busy world families are having a harder and harder time finding time where they can just be together. This inevitably causes a decline in the closeness of the family ties. Families are finding themselves constantly being pulled apart as they must meet the demands of job, school and other outside activities. While being overscheduled was once the domain of adults, many children now require date books and scheduling to keep all of their school and extra curricular activities straight. Many families are reverting to color coding family member's activities on calendars and giving up family dinner times to simply bow to the demands of being to busy. But if you feel that your family ties are suffering from a lack of time there are ways to become closer. Here is what you can do when family ties are stressed from lack of time-

With an ever tightening economy many families are finding themselves deep in debt with shaky job prospects and the stress is running over into their families. Today's families already face mounting pressures but along with financial stress the ties that bind families together can be weakened considerably. Adults may find themselves so overwhelmed with trying to deal with financial pressures that they neglect to nurture the family unit. Children may not fully understand what is causing the increased stress in their home and even blame themselves and withdraw from family life. But the good news is that no matter how difficult the financial times are for your family there are ways that you can increase the bonds that hold your family together and perhaps even draw closer. Here is what you should be doing when family ties are stressed by finances-

It is no longer uncommon for families to be spread literally around the world. Where at one time family members rarely moved out of the same town (and sometimes lived on the same block) today families can find themselves with members of their clan in many different countries. This distance can create stress as family members who are unable to see each other frequently can find themselves drifting apart. These family ties can be further stressed by a lack of communication that can lead to misunderstanding or simply a growing emotional distance. But there are steps that you can take to make sure that you and your far-flung family members remain close. Here is what you can do when family ties are stressed by distance-

• Use the available technology-It may not be exactly the same as being there but it comes close. With web-cams, cell phones with pictures and computer calling family members can view each other up close and personal from different sides of the world. If you and your family members are to far apart to visit often take advantage of the technology that can make you much closer. Many parents are even giving their far flung children web cams and internet access for Christmas gifts as an attempt to allow family members to easily remain in touch.
• Do not overlook the old fashioned way of keeping in touch-Even with all of the available technology that can give you instant access to faraway family there is nothing that can replace a family newsletter. Many families are using this type of old-fashioned letter writing to keep everyone up to date on what is happening throughout the family. It can work one of two ways. One person can be the newsletter director (this can be a rotating position) and each family member writes an update of what they are doing and sends it to them. This can be done monthly, bi-annually or annually (whatever works for your family). The newsletter director then puts all of the letters together a family newsletter and sends it on to everyone else. Or you can have a rotating family newsletter that begins with one person writing an update and then that person sends it on to someone else (this works well with email) once everyone has written something then a complete copy can be sent to all family members. This allows everyone to feel much more connected to their family. In addition making a family calendar can be another way for family members to remain connected. Simple online programs can guide you through making a family photo calendar that includes everyone birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates that need remembering. This way family members can know when it is really important to reach out.
• Plan a family reunion. When you think of a family reunion you may be thinking of multi-generational families coming together once a year. This can also work with your immediate family. If you, your parents and siblings all live in different places then it is important to try and come together at least once a year. Many families are finding that it works well to have one family "host" the reunion in their city. This way one family gets to really show off where they live (allowing family members to connect with them) and every family gets a chance to save on the cost of travel. Do not worry too much about having enough beds (tents in the backyard can work for cousins), remember that it is the time that you spend together that will really strength your family ties.

Americans are on the move. More then ever before families are having to uproot and move to another city, state or even country. These moves usually occur because of an employment opportunity for one or both parents in the home but they can cause a huge amount of stress on family ties. Family members may feel overwhelmed as they try to settle into new jobs, schools and friendships. This in turn can cause family members to pull away from each other at a time when they should be drawing closer. But the good news is that if you and your family are anticipating a move (or have just moved) there are things that you can do to strength family ties and reduce the stress of moving. Here is what you can do when family ties are stressed by a move-

• Allow a safe place for communicating. Sometimes in the stress of trying to settle into a new life family members feel that they are not being heard. While you may want to limit the amount of whining that goes on understand that this is part of the adjustment. Let family members vent their stress, fears and insecurities about their new lives. If they want help then other family members can then offer support or advice. Allowing for open and honest communication about how it is really going can help bring your family closer as they make this adjustment.
• Reestablish the old family traditions right away. It is important to reestablish or set up new family traditions right away. This can help lesson the pain of loss from the old surroundings. If your family loved to picnic in the backyard or watch Saturday morning cartoons all together no matter how hectic the move start the family traditions right away. This will help all the family members realize that despite being in a new house in a new place their family is still the same.
• Start some new family traditions as soon as possible. To help ease the transition and welcome yourselves to your new home you may also want to incorporate something new into your family traditions. Perhaps you can set up a family excursion that allows you to check out nearby shops and restaurants together. This way you find a place that you call like. Try visiting the local farmer's market, museums or other attractions that may be different from where you have just moved. Not only will you start to feel more at home but you may find places and things to do as a family that will continue to bring you closer.
• If possible allow for short visits back to your old home. Sometimes the transition to new place needs to occur in stages. If your children have left friends behind they may find it difficult to suddenly have no contact with them. If it is possible arrange for times that all of you can go back and see family and friends in your old hometown. It can help to break away gradually and you may find that your new home really is the place for you after all.
• Watch for problems. The bottom line is moving is a stressful situation for all family members. While there is certainly a period of adjustment things should gradually get better. If one or more family members seem unable to adjust after a few months you may want to consider some family counseling. Depression can manifest itself in poor performance in school, lack of friends, sleeping too much or lack of appetite. If you are concerned about your family members adjustment after the move do not hesitate to contact your health care provider for a evaluation and referral to a trusted family counselor that can help all the family members adjust to their new home.

With the divorce rate continuing to skyrocket couples would do well to consider what they can do to keep their marriage happy long before they run into difficulties. Money, children, job stress and many other factors can stress a marriage and the partners may seem to be drifting apart. It's crucial to realize that your marriage takes some work and some nurturing and that problems are much easier to fix right away then after they have been left to long. Here are some tips for keeping your marriage happy-

Flirting has been around since the dawn of time. Both men and women use flirting to communicate both interest and desire. However the most successful flirts have certain attributes that enable them to carry off their flirting effortlessly. So if you want to learn how to flirt or simply improve your flirting skills here are some things you must have to flirt successfully-

• Attitude-It is important to keep in mind that if you don't have it, you can't flaunt it. The best flirts are risk takers who have an unshakable confidence. This attitude seems to almost enter the room before they do and draws people to them as they subconsciously send out the message, "I am a great person and you should get to know me."
• Believability-Before you get carried away with the attitude should keep understand that you have to believe you are a great catch or no one else will. If you do not think you are worth it, you have lost the game before it has even begun. Remember that believability comes from knowing who you really are.
• Humor-This is definitely a must have. One of the core elements of any relationship is the ability to make the other person laugh; be it "at" or "with" you. Think about the people who you feel are the most fun-generally they are the funniest. The key here though is to communicate the humor that reflects who you are do not try to copy someone Else's.
• Have Fun-Nothing says "comfortable" like a flirt who is willing to "let down their hair" and be spontaneous and goofy. It goes back to having that sense of humor. Keep in mind that someone who can have fun can be in the middle of a crowd or one and one and you still want to hang out with them.
• Assertiveness-To be a successful flirt you must be able to approach someone and start a conversation. Keep in mind that you do not have to be a male to make the first move. Women can make the first move and many men even welcome this.
• Sincerity-If someone is truly interested in you, they will want you to feel comfortable being the "real you." You should not be afraid to show a little vulnerability. Keep in mind that someone who is not sincere will be discovered as a fake quickly. The best flirts understand that being who they really are is the key to being able to flirt.
• Eye Contact-It is important to not stare the other person down but simply give them the attention and respect they deserve. Best of all direct eye contact also shows confidence! Studies have shown that people who give eye contact are much more trusted then those who do not.
• Accessorize-We do not mean with jewelry and matching shoes, (though looking good is important when flirting) but with conversation starters like dogs, a good book, or a signature scent that's bound to attract attention. See a popular movies, read a good book or go out to the trendy new restaurant so when the conversation comes around to you, you will have something to say.
• Approachability-Keep in mind that nobody likes an ice-queen, or king for that matter. If this is difficult you will need to force yourself to let your guard down and you will then make yourself more approachable.
• Smile-This may actually be your most important attribute since not only does it shows you are enjoying their company, it's contagious, and it makes you one hundred times more attractive and approachable!

The relationship between friends and siblings bare many strong resemblances. In fact, there are even a number of commonly used phrases like, "My sister is my best friend," or, "He is like a brother to me," that really illustrate just how often the line between being siblings and being friends can be blurred.

There are studies that investigate how this association is achieved and what characteristics a pair of siblings or friends might need to have in order to attain this close bond. The basic underlying conclusion is that an "understanding of mind" must be achieved. In short, it is necessary for two people to have complementary personalities and to value the others differences as supplements to one's own personality. This correlation was found in obvious forms like how close friends or siblings carried on a conversation, but correlations were also found on the cognitive level. Language skills, communication skills, and socio-economic background were also important factors in explaining what made for a strong relationship between gender, siblings, and friends. Although these factors were not as important between siblings as they were between friends.

Dependability is another huge factor in defining close friendships. Those who have close friendships or who are close with their siblings, tend to also have a certain degree of dependability to the other person. Close friends and siblings have a need to be with the other individual, rather than just an occasional desire.

Gender and age tend to be especially important in making best friends and having close siblings in the years between ten and fourteen. It is during this age that adolescents will really begin to show whether or not the future holds a strong relationship. Children who constantly bicker with one particular sibling in adolescence will generally not be especially close to that sibling in adulthood (although it is very common for two siblings to see an improvement in their relationship as they age).

With all of these similarities between friends and siblings, one might begin to wonder what could be done to foster healthy relationships such that siblings can learn to become close friends. One helpful suggestion is to find a healthy balance between the amount of time that siblings spend together and that amount of time that they are allowed to spend apart.

While taking family vacations, having a meal together daily, and getting together one night a week for games can help foster a positive relationship, children also need time away from their siblings and doing their own thing with their own friends. Siblings who may have challenges getting along, could benefit from a set of rules that outline exactly what type of behavior is acceptable between siblings and what behavior is not allowed. Providing a punishment if these rules are broken is a needed natural consequence. Parents need to also make sure that they are doing all they can to show by example that everyone in the family needs to be shown love and respect.