Whether you’re an overwhelmed mom trying to embody the good characteristics of a person or just thinking about starting a family, these characteristics of a healthy family will help you to understand how to create strong family interactions and build a solid family relationship.
In a time when people are so busy and parents are working longer hours, it is more important than ever for families to establish strong familial relationships.
Most of all, it’s important for parents to foster the characteristics of a healthy family in order to create a sense of belonging, safety, and well-being in the family unit.
What to Expect:
- What are the Characteristics of a Family?
- Characteristics of a Good Family Relationship
- Unhealthy Characteristics of a Family
- Tips to Have Strong Family Interactions
What are the Characteristics of a Family?
Different parenting styles are the basis of personality traits that are formed in childhood.
It is important to know that what we do as parents will influence our children’s character and habits. We want our children to be good, so we need to teach them correct values and attitudes.
There are four different parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent and neglectful.
- The authoritarian style is characterized by strict obedience and the goal of obedience for obedience’s sake.
- The authoritative style is characterized by rules that are set forth but which allow for negotiation and reasoning with the child.
- The indulgent style is characterized by a lack of discipline where the parents indulge their children and refuse to set firm boundaries for them to follow, which leads to poor accountability and a lack of respect for authority figures.
- The neglectful style is characterized by parents who ignore their children’s needs or struggles.
These parenting styles have a huge impact on the characteristics of the entire family unit.
One of my favorite parenting books, Parenting with Love and Logic, teaches parents how to discipline with natural consequences using the authoritative style of parenting.
With tips to deal with the “terrible twos” to the dreaded teenage years, Parenting with Love and Logic is an awesome resource.
Related Reading:
- Qualities Of A Good Parent
- Strengths of a Good Parent
- Characteristics of responsible parenthood: How To Raise A Responsible Child
- Characteristics of Effective Parenting
- Breaking Free From Insecure Parenting
Characteristics of a Good Family Relationship
A family unit is a group of people who are bonded together by specific relationship types, such as by blood, marriage or adoption.
A good family relationship is a complex and intricate process that can take years to develop. It involves a lot of give and take, which is why it’s important that these relationships are nurtured. Some of the top qualities of a good family relationship include:
- Love
- Boundaries
- Respect
- Guidance
- Communication
- Trust
- Support
- Empathy
- Adaptability
- Quality Time
In particular, a family that has all the features of a healthy relationship includes trust, intimacy, and mutual respect for each other.
To develop a strong, effective parenting style, I highly recommend the Parenting Manual 101 course. I especially liked the sections on how to deal with temper tantrums!
Unhealthy Characteristics of a Family
Growing up in a dysfunctional family can have a profound impact on an individual’s development.
In families with poor parenting, children are less likely to develop crucial social skills and instead learn unhealthy behaviors from their caregivers.
Unhealthy parenting styles will cause the children in that family to grow up without boundaries or an understanding of how relationships work. Some families might have the opposite problem where they are too overprotective, which can also lead to unhealthy characteristics.
Unhealthy characteristics of a family can be things like too many arguments, favoritism, or a history of abuse. These traits are harmful to the family and can lead to serious mental health issues for each member, including issues such as depression or addiction.
The negative outcomes that an unhealthy family can produce are severe. The best way for parents to avoid this is by being more conscious about their parenting styles and ensuring that they are raising their children in the best way possible.
Related Reading:
- What Are the Qualities of a Nurturing Parent?
- What Qualities Make a Person a Bad Parent?
- Good Parenting Traits
- Qualities of Successful Parents
Tips to Have Strong Family Interactions
Make time for your family
While you could go on a family vacation together, planning a simple family game night or small, fun activities can be a great way to spend time together without spending a fortune.
Incorporate family dinners into your routine, and share your thoughts and feelings about the day. If dinnertime is too stressful, spend a few minutes together at breakfast or play 20 questions while waiting for the school bus.
Set boundaries with kids and enforce them without arguing
While discipline may not seem like the best way to build a strong, healthy family relationship, it’s actually one of the most important ways to build connection.
By being an effective parent and modeling the authoritative parenting style, you’ll create a more independent child who understands that actions have consequences.
Both the books Parenting with Love and Logic and Boundaries with Kids are great resources if you struggle to create boundaries and encourage natural consequences within your family.
Encourage each other through activities
Whether you’re participating in a family “fun run” like a 5k to support your favorite charity, cheering on your kids from the sidelines at their sporting events or musical performances, and decorating cookies together on a cold winter day, having fun and encouraging each other’s talents is a great way to bond as a family.