Friday 26 April 2013

What keeps your family strong?


I was walking along with my two children from a morning outing and picnic in the woods earlier this week to take my son to nursery, when I was stopped by a young American Mormon. He simply said, "Excuse me, what keeps your family strong?". My default reaction when someone stops me on the street is to tell them I can't stop and I'm rushing to get somewhere. This time it was true however, and I politely excused myself and went on my way.

Later that day, I thought back to the young man and his question, what keeps your family strong? What would I even respond if I'd stopped to chat to him? I had to think it about it for a while and by no means is this an exhaustive list, but I came up with a few things that I think are important to my family and in keeping us strong:
  • quality time spent together as a family
  • good communication
  • trust
  • love
  • consistence and continuity in our everyday life.....but also
  • acceptance of change or obstacles that come our way 
  • a generally positive, happy outlook on life
How would you have responded to what keeps your family strong? I'm sure we'll share some of the above, but perhaps you have other things that are important to your family - maybe a close support network from extended family who live near you, maybe your religious beliefs or maybe money and security from your job.... Do share in the comments!
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photo credit

8 comments:

  1. Such a lovely and thought-provoking post. For us, the difficulty times have made us stronger. Don't get me wrong, it's been hard since having Mr Boo, but I think we could get through anything now as a family.

    Friends and family, near far, old new, in person and online help give us strength too. And laughter. Let's not forget the laughter!

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    1. Thank you :-). I want your things for my list too! Definitely getting through difficult times is a great test of strength and brings more strength with it. As for laughter, yes indeed!

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  2. What keeps our family strong? Unconditional love, acceptance, and support, I would say. To know that we're there for each other no matter what happens, what we do or don't do. And in terms of staying strong for others: personal time to recharge, fun times, faith, and, I agree with you, the commitment to a positive outlook on life.
    Great question! Great post!

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    1. More great additions! Support is a really important one and I really like your list of things for staying strong for others too. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  3. What a wonderful question to be asked - so thought-provoking. I agree with all that you have listed. I think also for us what keeps us strong is having mealtimes together where we can talk about what's happened in the day. And the number of times we have all ended up in giggles round the table...
    One other thing I have always tried to impress upon my two is, that no matter what they've done, or what situation they find themselves in, if they are honest with us and tell us, yes it may be something we are cross about, but that we promise we will always always help them.There is no problem so big that we can't sort out as a family, the four of us. Hope that makes sense?
    Great post xx

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    1. Thanks! Mealtimes together is important to our family too and as you say, provides a lovely opportunity for everyone to talk about their day. Being honest is a great one too. I remember my parents teaching me the same thing, that no matter what happened, telling the truth was what mattered and the situation could be dealt with from there. You put it so well, "there is no problem so big that we can't sort out as a family..." - absolutely agree! xx

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  4. Wow, a very thought-provoking question. I would say honesty, a willingness to forgive, putting others first, but also having good friends/interests outside of one another too. Of course my faith underpins all if this. Great post, has been interesting to ponder :)

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    1. Thanks for your comment Suzanne :-). I really like your list - friends and interests outside of each other are indeed just as important to keeping us strong, as you rightly point out.

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Thank you for reading. I'd love to have your comments and thoughts!