Importance of Family
...ove to hear stories about their parents' and grandparents’ childhood experiences and this helps them become avid listeners. They also like to hear about themselves -- such as telling them about the day they were born or adopted. Handing down stories is a great way to keep a family's heritage alive and an opportunity to convey family values. A knowledge of our family history helps us know who we are and make sense of our lives. Eat together. Take time to enjoy at least one meal a week together. According to one study, eating together on a regular basis correlates with a lower likelihood of drug or alcohol abuse among teens in those families. Eating meals together provides opportunities for family members to connect and stay in tune to one another's lives. In this way, coming together at the end of the day for mealtime can also be a symbolic ritual that nourishes the soul as well as the body. Allow children to help with dinner preparations, be it setting the table or buttering the bread. Additionally, all family members should work together to complete clean-up duties after the meal. These routines allow ample opportunities for discussions and family bonding to occur. Create a haven. There's nothing that can beat the feeling of 'being home' after a rough day. That is if your home is a haven, a safe place for family members to express life's daily joys and disappointments. We all need to feel that those at home understand and accept us regardless of what the rest of the world thinks of us or inflicts upon us. To help make your home a haven, consider allowing time each day, perhaps during mealtime, for each person to share some aspect of his or her day. Providing this type of regular forum each day will help family members stay close to one ano...