How to increase your closeness in your family
Many families are close, but we all wish we could be just a little bit closer. We see shows like the Brady Bunch and wish we could enjoy spending time with our family doing potato sack races across the lawn, but we don't. So, how can you increase the closeness in your family? Try some of the following suggestions:
1. Start traditions:
if you want to have a close family you will need to have something that brings you closer, things that each person clings to adores, and loves doing, and looks forward to. These things are called traditions. Holiday traditions are easy and everyone has them, but what about other traditions? Things like waffles for breakfast on Saturday can be a tradition that brings your family closer together. That is the kind of thing that means children will not make other plans for Saturday morning because they know they get waffles and this is something they are expected to be at. Other traditions can be things like daddy-daughter dates, sister's night out, movie Monday, or anything else you want to have as a tradition. So, start some traditions.
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2. Spend time together:
if you want to increase the closeness of your family you will need to spend time together. So, plan family activities that everyone will enjoy. Do things like bowling on the weekends, camping together, sports activities, or whatever thing your family is into. If that means all you do together is play card games then so be it. If it means you go to dinner at nice restaurants then do it. How you spend time together is up to you! But do it or you will find that your family will have a hard time being close. If your family does not live close together then make it a point to spend time together as often as possible.
3. Take interest:
If you want to increase your closeness then take an interest in one another. Make sure that you know what the people in your family are into. If your brother is really into rock climbing, make sure you know what a chalk bag is, and what kinds of holds there are so that when he wants to talk you are at least knowledgeable about the lingo enough to carry a conversation.
4. Be there for events:
If you want your family to be close you have to make sure that the family is there when something significant is happening. So, whether it is a little league game, or a ballet recital, make sure the family is there to witness every last bit of it. Video tape it if you need to. You will want to see that the family cares enough to watch.
5. Talk often:
If you want to get close you have to talk a lot. So, if you live on opposite sides of the country, make sure you have the same phone service so that you can talk mobile to mobile for free.
6. Stay in touch:
if you are not living close, or even if you are, if you want your family to be close, be sure to stay in touch. You will want to talk often, text, send photos, family updates, and even things like phone calls. It is not hard and it keeps you close. So, set up a time you will call and chat each week, and make sure that you keep the phone date.
7. Get to know each other's friends:
part of being close is liking each other's friends, so get to know the people your children, siblings, etc, are friends with. If you get to know their friends you will be closer by default.
8. Serve each other frequently:
Service means love, and love brings you closer, so make sure you include that in your family routine if you want to grow closer.
