The importance of strong family bonds.

Family is one of the most important word in our English vocabulary. It is where we get our values from and how we nurture each other to be who we are. To have strong family bonds does not come by just wanting to have them. We need to put in effort to have them and these very bonds will grow or wither depending on how much effort has been put in.

So we ask ourselves this question that is "How do we have strong family bonds?" We have them by creating them. We get to know each family member well, put our trust in them, love each other, help each other, be there for each other in times of need and be available for the particular member of the family. These nurturing values is also extended to the extended family members like siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews and elder relatives.

The feeling one has for a family member grows with positive interaction. There will be sibling rivalry and that is fine as long as mutual understanding and love is the foundation of each relationship. When there is communication amongst family members, it is good way to bond with each other. Kind words, acts of service and gifts are ways to nurture a relationship and we have to start with the young children. Children must get to know their cousins and relatives and this is where parents of the families play a very important role. Time and effort is needed for get together and having meals together, play together, stay overs are ways of being close with each other. Bonding takes time to build and where there is love, there is a bond and this very bond is what each of us needs in our journey of life.

Distance between the family members cannot be used as a reason why children do not know their extended family members as with technology, it has brought us closer with emails and instant messaging for communication to take place. We can embrace these tools to keep in touch with relatives that are living in other countries.

The value of having strong family bonds will serve us well when we find that we need a helping hand, listening ear or understanding to prop us through difficult times and this very bond is what we must nurture in our children and family members. Everyone needs to understand that each of us need to play a part and if one continues to give their time and not reciprocated, this bond will erode as the giving party will find it a burden to keep up with all the effort and not being appreciated by the receiving party.

Let us all recognize that strong family bonds are important and what we are able to give to our loved ones and continue to nurture strong bonds and put in effort to meet up with each other and have time for one another in our busy lives. We need to make time for our loved ones and that must not be forsaken or place on hold as we go through our daily activities, otherwise, it will not be a surprise to find out that family members have grown apart and worse still, become strangers.

We can uphold the importance of strong family bonds by making the effort to get together and enjoy each other's company and simple acts of service will truly go a long way in our lives. Put in the effort and it is all worth while. Make a conscious effort to make time for each other and all these efforts will serve us well.

Learn more about this author, Helen Tay.
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