As a busy family, it can be hard to sit down and eat a meal together, much less have a conversation about family values and the importance of spending quality time together. Every person on the planet can be connected to each other via the internet, social media, and cell phones. However, have you ever thought how connected you actually are to your family members? How can your family better connect?
What are family values?
Have you thought of what's meaningful to your family? Family values define what is meaningful to your family! They are the beliefs and ideas that bind your family together. These values apply to us as individuals, the family as a unit, and society as a whole. Family values guide your family at home. What values do you think are important for you to uphold and teach your future generations?
Why are they important?
Family values can include moral conduct, social behaviors, religion, work ethic, education, traditions, financial values, etc. Family beliefs show what you think is necessary and what is good, and can help teach kids the difference between right and wrong. Family values and beliefs can differ from each household, and even from culture to culture! As your children grow older and start their own families, they will more than likely keep some of those family values, and they may even learn and practice new values learned through other members of society.
Examples of important family values
Some examples of family values include:
- Kindness
- Self-compassion
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Mutual Respect
- Flexibility
- Honesty
- Fairness
One particular family value we'll dive into is the importance of spending quality time with your family!
Spending quality time with your family can increase well-being, a sense of belonging, and can be a positive influence on a child's life. Most memories children always remember are those spent with their loved ones during quality time activities. Even as adults, a lot of our memories can be made by spending quality time with friends and family!
One way you can instill the value of quality is time is by eating together as a family! Sharing a meal together can help members handle stress, teach better eating habits, encourage attachment and conversation. Work life and after-school activities may interfere with dinner time meals, but don't stress trying to make a homemade meal every night of the week. Try to find one night a week, or even try to have a meal together at breakfast or lunch!
Turn off phones and the TV, and be fully present with your family. You and your family will be better able to connect to each other without the distractions and establish meaningful relationships.