Three Key Factors of a Successful Family

This essay isn't about the "perfect" family. This essay is about a successful family, e.g. one that meets most of the needs and goals of its members. A family where everyone is physically safe and emotionally content. To achieve this, let's examine three key factors of a successful family.

The best interests of the children. No one thinks about divorce on their wedding day, except pre-nuptial lawyers. You and your mate promise to communicate well and work through problems based upon your love and commitment for each other. Then children come along, and it seems as if your family life is "set." Ten years later, you and your partner accept you no longer want to stay together for numerous reasons. What about the children? Should you stay together for the sake of the children, to give them a "two-parent" home? Or should you separate and be the best parents you can be? There are two schools of thought about this subject: that you should stick it out together until the children are grown and off on their own, or that an unhappy couple makes everyone around them unhappy – especially the children. The only correct answer is your answer. Regardless of what you brother thinks, what your best friend thinks, or what Oprah thinks, never substitute anyone's judgment for your own. Every family's needs are different; what works for one family may not work for your family. After their grown, many people who grew up in unhappy homes say that it's better to come from a broken home than to live in one. However, others say that having two parents was essential for their growth, even though Mom and Dad weren't happy with each other. Sometimes "together" is in the eye of the beholder. It may not mean that you and your spouse or partner live under the...

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...practical or helpful. Give yourself some credit! Try these tips in your family that don’t take a lot of time and effort, and are easy ways to help your family solve problems and get along well: (1) Talk to each other! “How was your day?” “How are you doing?” Ask about each other rather than always talking about yourself. If you get one-word replies like “fine,” delve a little deeper, but don’t push too hard. Just let each other know that you’re interested and willing to talk. (2) Talk some more! Some discussions are private, or course. We do much better if we talk about what’s bothering us right then and there instead of “holding back” and becoming resentful and bitter. (3) Make time for each other. Know when to give your full attention to a family member. (4) Pick and plan your arguments. If it’s not important in the long run, let it go. You’ll all be happier.