I write about family culture a lot because family means a lot to me--I love my family and I love doing what I can for my family members.
As I consider my family and many more families I know, I am considering what's most important.
Here's a short list I've created:
Warm Welcoming Home
As much as possible our homes need to be places where our loved ones feel welcomed and warm.
Support
As parents and children of aging parents, it's important that we do what we can to support our children's good living including healthy food, suitable clothing, good education, health care, recreation, and safe communities. As parents we have to ban together to help one another achieve adequate support for our children and loved ones.
Observe, Listen, and Respond
As parents of young adults, it's critical that we observe, listen, and then sensitively respond to our children. I believe that are children are called in directions that are unique to their spirit, dreams, interests, and experiences, and I believe that parents have to be sensitive to each child's call in ways that matter. To be sensitive requires that we carefully observe who are children are and reach out often with questions such as are you happy, is there anything you need, how can I help. It's probably even more important to affirm their hard work, questions, and quests in life--to demonstrate that you are there for them and you honor their individual journey of life.
Celebrate
It's necessary that we well plan and enjoy celebrations of family members' accomplishments and life events. Celebrations are often the high points of a family's story and support for one another.
Shared Interests and Adventures
Preparing and planning for shared adventures and interests brings families together. These shared events can be as simple as a yearly tradition of a shared hike or more complex such as big trip, athletic contest, or creative service project. These shared interests and adventures bring families together in meaningful and memorable ways.
Honest Conversation and Care
Family members have to be willing to speak honestly to one another as well s to converse with care, compassion, and acceptance. We have to accept each other's individuality while also owning our own shortcomings, challenges, and impulses. As humans we are vulnerable and imperfect, and a large part of good family culture is acknowledging, accepting, and helping out with regard to this vulnerability.
As I think about family culture, I am thinking about the topics above. What else would you add here? I'm interested in learning more.
As I consider my family and many more families I know, I am considering what's most important.
Here's a short list I've created:
Warm Welcoming Home
As much as possible our homes need to be places where our loved ones feel welcomed and warm.
Support
As parents and children of aging parents, it's important that we do what we can to support our children's good living including healthy food, suitable clothing, good education, health care, recreation, and safe communities. As parents we have to ban together to help one another achieve adequate support for our children and loved ones.
Observe, Listen, and Respond
As parents of young adults, it's critical that we observe, listen, and then sensitively respond to our children. I believe that are children are called in directions that are unique to their spirit, dreams, interests, and experiences, and I believe that parents have to be sensitive to each child's call in ways that matter. To be sensitive requires that we carefully observe who are children are and reach out often with questions such as are you happy, is there anything you need, how can I help. It's probably even more important to affirm their hard work, questions, and quests in life--to demonstrate that you are there for them and you honor their individual journey of life.
Celebrate
It's necessary that we well plan and enjoy celebrations of family members' accomplishments and life events. Celebrations are often the high points of a family's story and support for one another.
Shared Interests and Adventures
Preparing and planning for shared adventures and interests brings families together. These shared events can be as simple as a yearly tradition of a shared hike or more complex such as big trip, athletic contest, or creative service project. These shared interests and adventures bring families together in meaningful and memorable ways.
Honest Conversation and Care
Family members have to be willing to speak honestly to one another as well s to converse with care, compassion, and acceptance. We have to accept each other's individuality while also owning our own shortcomings, challenges, and impulses. As humans we are vulnerable and imperfect, and a large part of good family culture is acknowledging, accepting, and helping out with regard to this vulnerability.
As I think about family culture, I am thinking about the topics above. What else would you add here? I'm interested in learning more.