by Connie Earl Robertson

Created on: October 10, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2011

In this day and time very few people have a happy family life. Moms and dads are changing partners as often as they change their clothes, and the family is a wreck. The children are left in the middle with broken and torn hearts, bitterness, hatred and a myriad of other feelings. Here's hoping this recipe for a happy family life will be an encouragement and help to your family.

Start the recipe with two cupfuls of putting others first and yourself last. This is the most important part of the recipe for a happy family life. Sadly, the American society as a whole has a "me first" attitude. With that type of attitude, people become selfish, unthankful, critical of others and proud. What a recipe for disaster! Every time something comes up in your home stop and think.  Then be sure to put the other person and their needs, wants or desires before your own.

Add one teaspoonful of thoughtfulness and consideration. This ingredient goes right along with putting others first and yourself last. Stop using "I" so much, and look for ways that you can be helpful and be a blessing to the other members of your family. A teaspoon of thoughtfulness and consideration goes a long way in making this recipe work.

Sometimes we make a mistake in a recipe and have to remove an ingredient. Lay aside that critical spirit. There is nothing that will dampen happiness and joy faster than a critical spirit. Who wants to hang around a place where they are constantly being criticized and torn apart? Criticism hurts deeper down in your heart than almost anything else. Make sure it isn't included in your recipe for a happy family life!

Add a tablespoon of a relaxed spirit. Even when you have a full schedule, let others feel like you have all the time in the world for them. When one person in the family is relaxed, happy and carefree, it won't be long until the other family members follow suit.

Laugh together and enjoy each other. Every family needs two heaping cupfuls of laughter. Nothing is so important that you have to go around with a long face all of the time. Relax and look for the funny things in life. Children do and say the funniest things. Learn to laugh with them when they do something comical. Hug them and tell them how cute whatever they said or did was. Mom and Dad need to enjoy one another, and let the children see them laughing together, too

Add one half cup of play. Take time each day to find some way to play with each other. This is especially important if you have children.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>