Family is the backbone of our culture, and the glue that holds everything together. Your family has likely been very good for you. After all, most of us couldn’t have been where we are today had it not been for your support and encouragement. But we could all be better at supporting and encouraging our family members. Are you giving your family members the love and support they deserve? Are there things in your own family that could be better?
Sibling rivalry
Sibling rivalry is common in families. Siblings compete for parental attention, affection and resources, and this competition can be damaging to relationships between brothers and sisters.
There are many ways to help siblings work through their differences. Parents should make sure each child has an opportunity to express concerns about the new baby and voice concerns about the changes that will occur in the family.
Parents should also make sure each child feels like he or she has a say in how things are going to change in the family as well as what kind of support will be given by parents when it comes to caring for their little brother or sister.
It’s also important for parents to encourage siblings to spend time together so they can get to know one another better before they have a new sibling added into their family setting.
In-law issues
What do you do when your in-laws are toxic and manipulative?
You may be surprised to learn that this is a common problem. In fact, some surveys suggest that as many as 50 percent of people report having problems with their in-laws.
And if your parents-in-law are toxic, their behavior can have a negative impact on your spouse and children. They may feel guilty about the situation or blame themselves for not being able to “fix” things. This can lead to stress and anxiety for everyone involved.
It’s important to remember that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes from time to time — including your in-laws. If they’re toxic, it’s likely because they’ve had issues with relationships themselves that make it difficult for them to relate to others in a healthy way. And sometimes, people who were once close friends can grow apart over time due to changing circumstances or personal differences (like political views).
Parenting woes
Parenting is a big job, and it’s hard to know how to support our children and deal with the challenges they face.
It’s even harder when our kids are struggling with mental health issues. In this context, many parents feel at a loss for what they should and shouldn’t do. They worry about saying the wrong thing, making the situation worse, or hurting their child’s feelings.
Here are some tips for supporting your child and your entire family:
Be patient and understanding
If your child has been diagnosed with a mental illness, he or she may need more time than usual to complete tasks around the house or homework assignments at school. Try not to get frustrated if things don’t go as planned — keep in mind that life is often unpredictable for people who live with mental illness. You can offer help when you see that it’s needed, but don’t force your child into situations that make him uncomfortable or anxious.
Don’t judge your child based on his diagnosis
It can be tempting to look down on someone who has an anxiety disorder or another mental illness because we assume these conditions make them weak-minded or less capable than others — but this isn’t true of anyone! Your child may have some challenges that are unique
Navigating ex-relationships and blended families
The holidays and New Year are upon us, which means it’s time for family gatherings and celebrations. But sometimes, all these events can be overwhelming. Maybe you’re in a blended family with step-siblings or half-siblings, or maybe you’ve just gone through a divorce and are struggling to navigate the new dynamics at home.
Whatever your situation, it can be tough to maintain a healthy relationship with your family members. In fact, sometimes they can make you feel like giving up entirely. Here are some tips on how to stay positive and have a happy holiday season:
Try not to take things personally
Holiday gatherings can be stressful for everyone, but if someone says something that hurts your feelings or gets under your skin, try not to take it personally. They may not have meant anything bad by what they said; they could just be having a bad day or feeling overwhelmed themselves.
Make new traditions
It’s important that every family member feels included during the holidays, so don’t forget about those who aren’t able to attend because of work obligations or other commitments. Make sure there are plenty of photos posted on social media so everyone feels like they’re still part of the festivities from afar!
A loved one’s health crisis
-can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with your own feelings and emotions.
Your family member may have different needs than you do. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply listen and let them know that you’re there for them.
Here are some tips for helping a loved one through a health crisis:
Listen to their concerns and fears
Your loved one may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their condition, so they may not want to talk about it with others. If they’re having trouble talking about their condition, ask questions like “How are you feeling?” or “What is the doctor saying?” This shows that you care and want to help them feel better.
Let them know what support services are available in your community
Many communities offer free or low-cost support groups for people going through a health crisis or those who have lost someone close to them because of cancer or another disease. You can find out about these services by contacting your local hospital or community center.
Encourage them to take care of themselves even if they don’t feel like it
— this will help keep them strong during treatment. Offer to make meals for them or run errands so they don’t have to worry about extra tasks while they
Shame or stigma around mental illness, addiction, or abuse in the family
Family members often feel ashamed to share their concerns about a loved one’s mental health, addiction or abuse. They may fear that they will be blamed, judged or rejected by other family members.
The result is that they try to hide their feelings and put on a “happy face” to keep the peace in the family. This can lead to frustration, anger and resentment — emotions that can cause conflict later on when it’s too late for intervention.
Family members also worry that if they speak up about these problems, no one will believe them or take them seriously.
They may have been told by other family members that their loved one has “a problem” but will get better with time or treatment. They may have been told that it’s just part of being human or temperament — not something that needs professional help. Or they may have been told directly by their loved one that it’s none of their business or none of their concern.
You might be afraid of taking action because you don’t want to be disloyal by betraying someone who trusts you with personal information — even if you suspect they’re hurting themselves or others through their behavior.
Financial pressures and debts
-can be overwhelming to anyone. When you’re living with a family member in need, it can be especially stressful. To help them get back on track financially, here are some things you can do:
Talk about money problems. It’s important to talk openly about money stresses rather than hiding them from each other. Make it a habit to talk about bills, budgeting and how much money is left over at the end of each month. If your loved one doesn’t want to talk about money, offer to help him or her create a budget and work on paying off debt together.
Cultural clashes within the family over belief systems, values, or traditions
Despite the best intentions of family members, cultural clashes within the family over belief systems, values, or traditions can sometimes result in conflict. Here are some tips to help you navigate these situations.
Encourage Communication
It is important that you encourage open communication between family members so they can express their feelings and concerns. You may be able to help them find ways to compromise when it comes to differences of opinion on specific issues. If not, at least you’ll know where everyone stands on those issues and can work on finding solutions that work for everyone.
Listen with an Open Mind
You might be surprised by some things your loved ones say about their culture or religion. They may have views about food preparation, child rearing practices or even marriage rituals that seem strange to you. Try not to jump to conclusions about why they feel this way or how they got their beliefs — just listen without judging them or getting defensive. If they ask for your opinion, try simply stating your thoughts without attaching any judgmental language; for example: “That’s interesting,” or “I’ve never thought about it like that before.” This will show them that you respect their choices and beliefs without telling them what they should do or how things should be done — which could lead to an argument
The loss of a pet or family member
-can be as traumatic as losing a spouse or child. Not only do you lose the physical presence of the one who has passed on, but also a part of yourself. You may find yourself grieving in many different ways and at different times.
Children are often confused by death and tend to blame themselves for it. They may also have trouble understanding why they can’t see their pet anymore or why they have to say goodbye to someone they love so much. It’s important to give children extra love and attention during this time so they don’t feel isolated from the rest of the family.
If you’re still having trouble coping after several months, seek professional help from a grief counselor or therapist as soon as possible
If you love your family members and want to make positive changes in their lives, consider taking a good hard look at your stated expectations. Yes, we all want our family members to be the best they can be — but it really doesn’t help if we don’t accept them where they are. By judiciously raising expectations, you may find that you truly do have the ability to support their successes rather than just propel them upward. The key is having an open mind and an empathetic heart.
Your family members need your love and support too, and you need theirs as well.
Author: AKSHR
