The Value of Family

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The Value of Family

by Sharon Luscombe - Counsellor

Out of the Ashes Counselling Australia

Family!

Sometimes a difficult subject for some people, sometimes a mixed bag of emotions. However, the family unit is something of power and a force to be reckoned with. When a family work together to build each other up instead of tearing each other down, you see close bonds, trust, patience and healthy relationships develop. Family relationships come in various forms, including parent-child, sibling, grandparents, step family members and extended family. Good family relationships help everyone feel loved and safe.

The main aim for parents should be to create a safe and encouraging environment so that their children feel a sense of belonging and support. This in turn causes children to grown into strong, confident, happy and successful adults.

Too many times these days we see so many people block family members out of their life for sometimes trivial reasons. This is a phenonemon that is destroying families. So how do we work on working through these difficult times with family members so as to keep the bonds close and the relationships healthy?

#1 - Communication - learn how to talk with each other well. Conflict, misunderstandings and arguments are a normal part of life, it's how we handle it that makes all the difference. Set aside some time to talk through the things you're struggling with and give each other time to voice concerns. Don't interupt each other, but really listen with the aim to understand each others point of view. Look for ideas for resolution, and then follow through with what you've both agreed on.

Do not gossip about or bad mouth anyone in the family. This brings about strife and discord.

#2 - Do not Discard - The relationships and love of your family are not disposable items. Family is valuable enough to work through difficult seasons. Do not follow the narative that you can just block them out of your life. Many people have wasted so many years apart only to come to the end of their life with serious regret. You can't get that time back or everything you've missed out on!

#3 - Quality time - Strong bonds are not only formed but maintained by spending quality time together as a family, including seperatley with family members. What do you like to do together as a family or with siblings, grandparents, parents, aunties/uncles, cousins, step family members etc. Some families enjoy games nights, movie nights, picnics, BBQ's, beach trips, indoor playcentres, camping, coffee shops, lunch dates, dinner and a show etc, etc. What does this look like for you and your family?

As you navigate through family challenges, always keep in the front of your mind, the love and value of your family. There is no other family like yours, it's time to value what you have and nourish the family dynamics. Never let anyone encourage you to throw those valuable people away as they cannot be replaced, in any way, depsite what social media teaches. In regards to step family members, they should always be included as if there is no difference as to whether or not they are blood relatives. Division has no part in a healthy family.

For those with faith.........

God is not the God of division; He is the God of unity.

If you receive advice to move apart from your family, ghost them or block them out of your life,

just because of a difficult season or misunderstanding, understand this truth.....

.....Division is from the devil, not God and that is not Godly advice!

"A perverse person stirs up conflict,  and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28

Photo - Jennifer Kallenberg

As always, don't do life alone.

If you need some support in working through family challenges or someone to talk to ,

call Out of The Ashes Counselling Australia and make an appointment today - PH:0431433690