Enjoy Each Other – The essence of a happy family is that they truly uplift each other and that all comes down to how they treat each other, says Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, a New York-based family and relationship counselor and host of The Learning Channel’s Shalom in the Home. “There is a joy that characterizes their interaction.”

Swap Stories – Shmuley Boteach states, “When you come home, your kids have to come first.” You must drop everything you are doing and always come home with something to share with your kids, whether a story or even the smallest vignette. This way you give your kids something to look forward to. The great bane of family life is boredom and that is what leads to dysfunction, affairs, and kids wanting to be with their friends over family.”

Put the Marriage First – This sets a real example of love, according to Boteach.

Break Bread Together – It is a simple fact that families that eat together, stay together.

Play Together – Boteach suggests having one or two activities that the family does each night together. For younger children it could be as simple as reading a book together.

Put Family Before Friends – “Give rules, but understand that kids need fun, too. When kids get bored and listless, they start looking for excitement out of the home and that is when friends become more important. Friendship is important, but subordinate to family,” according to Shmuley Boteach.

Limit Children’s Afterschool Activities – Moderate the number of afterschool activities your children participate in. According to Shmuley Boteach, creating family-based afterschool activities are best, such as roller-skating or bike riding as a family.

Build and Honor Rituals – “Rituals can be religious, national or even family-specific,” says Boteach. Rituals are things that are repeated over time, which brings a family together. In order to work, they must be flexible.

Keep Your Voices Down – Be stern but kind with the children. Children thrive on stability.

Never Fight in Front of the Kids

Don’t Work Too Much – “If you are away all the time and don’t prioritize your kids, your kids will internalize feelings of insecurity,” says Boteach.

Encourage Sibling Harmony

Have Private Jokes – This creates a special bond

Be Flexible – Try to accept the changes families encounter.

Communicate – Happy families communicate often.

©EthLeen

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