What is your secret to a happy family? Dr. Scott Haltzman, author of the book”The Secrets of Happy Families, says there a 4 keys to building a family that will be truly happy.
1. Happy families know who they are. When your family agrees on its core values and consistently lives by those standards you’ll build a stronger family identity and reduce conflict.
2. Happy families lean on others. No family thrives in a bubble. Your extended relatives, friends, neighbors, and other networks are crucial to your happiness.
3. Happy families bounce back. Truly happy families have the resiliency to face life’s challenges and stay strong. Going through difficult times can actually make you feel more connected as a family.
4. Happy families breathe. Families do better when they have plenty of laid-back time together. Whether you’re going for a walk, playing games, making cookies, or just hanging out, the best way to build happy family connections is simply to enjoy one another spontaneously.
Our family is happiest when we are curled up in warm blankets, popping popcorn, nice cold cokes and watching a fun movie with the kids. I have noticed that my kids are happiest when mom and dad are in good moods and take the time to sit down with them and play their games that they make up or draw with them.
I notice that when myself or Lance are having a bad day and we have negativity in our home, if is noticed by our kids and it affects their happiness.
Callee, thanks for your comment. Often it’s the simple things that can make families happy.