Families today are more diverse than ever. Yours may be a blended family with his, hers and ours, or a family with kids from newborn to teenager. Some kids may be biological, while others may be adopted. You may even be what is often thought of as a traditional family with two kids just a few years apart. No matter how your family came to be, improving communication can lessen stress, frustration and lead to a happier household. Family counseling for Jacksonville, AL families can improve communication and harmony. Here’s how.
Making it Better
Generally, people are a product of their environment. It’s quite probable you speak to your spouse or your children in a similar fashion as your parents spoke to you. Maybe you handle conflict the same way your mom or dad did. You think you turned out okay, and that’s great. But what if things could be better? What if you learned skills that would take your family bond to the next level? That sounds like a win-win! Read on for a few ideas on how this can be achieved.
- Be deliberate. Put the phones away during meals. Focus on quality, uninterrupted time. When you engage with others ignoring interruptions, everyone feels important.
- Insist on family meals. Schedules get busy, and it’s really easy to grab food on the fly. It is so important to ensure everyone is getting at least one healthy meal a day and that you’re doing it together. If dinner every night isn’t possible, commit to at least three meals a week. Use this time to learn about your child’s classes or your spouse’s job.
- Focus on listening to what your family member is saying, and don’t interrupt. Acknowledge their feelings even if you don’t agree with them.
- Have dates with your children. Your undivided attention means the world to your child. Having that one-on-one time with them strengthens your bond and nourishes their need to be loved.
Family Counseling in Jacksonville, AL at Garrett
Family counseling for Jacksonville, AL families is only a phone call away. With offices also available in Albertville / Boaz, AL and Huntsville, AL, all our professional team members at Garrett Counseling can help your family improve communication and provide a more peaceful environment. Call (256) 239-5662 or reach us by clicking here.