happy family 33 by Editorial Zone
Published Date: 22/07/07
In times past, life was far simpler, with family life more structured, family meals eaten at regular times and together at the kitchen table. Relatives, including cousins and grandparents, were often close by and in regular contact with the family, sharing birthday and holiday celebrations in a big group of happy family members. Kids played with kids while the adults caught up on the latest news and accomplishments of family members. The large and happy family provided a sense of community and belonging.
The extended family in today's world are often spread across the country, with families moving far away from their relatives to take advantage of a lucrative promotion that will fund the kid's education. Whatever the stimulus, the extended family is becoming a thing of the past. Grandparents may live on the East coast, while children and grandchildren live in California, with little opportunity to interact regularly. Children move away to college. With distance separating families, it often happens that your favorite Aunt has only occasional contact and your personal interaction becomes blurred, not as close as it once was.
This naturally leads to the question of what constitutes a happy family? The family has of necessity, grown smaller and further apart. In the rush of today's breakneck speed of living, families often have dinner on the run, and separately, with less and less time spent together.
In order to nurture a happy family life, dynamics and quality of interaction play important roles. These days, it seems everyone in the family has their own individual schedules and obligations, whether it be to work, attend classes or required differences in sleeping schedules. Maybe Dad works a night schedule, Mom a day schedule, with the kids all over the map.
In this scenario, you need to make the most of every minute you spend together. The happy family signature is one of respect and love for one another, demonstrated every chance you get. There's no room for bickering over little things, needless dissension or power plays. Make the most of your time together and focus on activities and points on which you share positive feelings and aspirations.
This is not to say that you must always agree, but nurturing a happy family atmosphere depends on accentuating the positive aspects of life together. Life's troubles will find you readily enough, so you don't need to go looking for problems.
A happy family is usually characterized in the following ways. Every family member shows courtesy and respect for each family member. Everyone need not be alike, in personality or perspective. Everyone in the household values the individuality of each member. Time spent together is a time of sharing individual ideas without condemnation. Each family member celebrates the uniqueness of personalities and their takes on life.
Although the world has changed dramatically in the last fifty years, the reality of a truly happy family has not. Be kind, have fun, avoid dissension and make time for each other and you'll realize the dream of a happy family.
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