I have always been very impressed by close knit families. There are certain norms I have observed which encourage this kind of bond within family members where they enjoy each other’s company and it is instilled in them to spend time with family as well as daily routine.
Certain things I’ve noticed include:
Meals at the dinner table as opposed to in a room with a television or trolleys in bedrooms.
Family outings on a weekly basis. Might be as simple as icecream on the weekends, but one day is reserved for just that and everyone has to go no questions asked
Strong emphasis on celebrations with family
Strong emphasis on taking food over to sick relatives and inquiring after them
People away from home in such families are supposed to write back at least once a week via email or call every two days minumum
What are the secrets of your family bonding? What are activities which encourage strong ties within the family?
(I think this thread might benefit all and sundry )
Agree with dinner on the table together.
We have outings on the weekend but its usually to dawats or parites, we do have family holidays though.
Never celebrated birthdays really, but yeah graduation parties etc.
Dont know about the sick rellos bit as all fam in pakistan and we are in engerrland.
I live away from home and call minimum once a day.
The secret to a close family bond is actively listening to each other, openly expressing care and honesty.
What are the secrets of your family bonding? What are activities which encourage strong ties within the family?
(I think this thread might benefit all and sundry :) )
I don't know what it is really. I am not sure if its a conscious effort to do things together (or maybe it is) but its assumed we will. All holiday dinners, eid namaz, brunches on the weekends sometimes, etc etc etc.
We do a lot of eating together...we're all very paitoo people and enjoy good food.
We as a family my hubs kids and myself are really close. Having family time one weekend especially Friday is a must family night until we are invited, eating dinner together, reading or playing board games or video games together is fun. Since my own family and my in laws live far away so we usually call them. I call my family everyday and hubs call his family in Pak everyweek and kids talk to my and his family members too.
I agree wth this family is v important n v all cusns share this bond allhumdullah but my in laws r totally different they believe in giving space I know it important but this doesn't mean tht every1 is sitting in his her room 2 give space 2 own siblings n parents when I got married I got so distrubed bc every1 used 2 remain in their own room jab jis ka dil krta khana kha ata sub apne rooms mei alag alag tv dehkay thay I meant u can at least have dinner lunch 2gather on table can watch tv 2gather in lounge thts y yesterday I opened tht thread tht no one from my in laws wished me bc I think I m from different background bc in r family v share n celebrate even if it's very small thing v just believe in making every moment special n happy 2 cherish always allhumdullah :)
We spend family time from friday night till sunday morning. Thats usually the timeline where everyone has time to enjoy themselves. Friday night has been a movie night for as long as I remember and is usually the day where we relax together after the week with candies and other goodies.
Saturday, we cook a nice meal and usually spend the day cleaning, cooking and chilling with each other.
Sunday, mostly getting homework done and getting ready for the next week.
unfortunalty, we dont get to eat together often enough due to work and school/uni timings. I really do miss doing that.
So angel, in your own nuclear unit, you your husband and your children, what methods will you adopt and instill to encourage family time?
I agree wth this family is v important n v all cusns share this bond allhumdullah but my in laws r totally different they believe in giving space I know it important but this doesn't mean tht every1 is sitting in his her room 2 give space 2 own siblings n parents when I got married I got so distrubed bc every1 used 2 remain in their own room jab jis ka dil krta khana kha ata sub apne rooms mei alag alag tv dehkay thay I meant u can at least have dinner lunch 2gather on table can watch tv 2gather in lounge thts y yesterday I opened tht thread tht no one from my in laws wished me bc I think I m from different background bc in r family v share n celebrate even if it's very small thing v just believe in making every moment special n happy 2 cherish always allhumdullah :)
since my baby is very young but one good thing happening now huby has changed he is realizing the family values n now my bro in law started living wth us from last one month n i make sure for 1 thing tht both brothers have dinner 2gather v go out all 2agther i actually drag him in every thing encourage him 2 participate in every discussion n i even leave my baby wth her chahu n ask him 2 take care n look after her while i m doing household work for my baby 1 thing i do she is only 10 months but still i skype everyday wth my family n also my baby hear them talk 2 them(of course in her own language)she watches them n trust me now whenevr i m skyping she gets so excited bc she now recognizes them n i have also put huby's duty 2 do the same wth his family since his mum doesnt like talking 2 me 2 much so huby sent a lapi especially 2 his mum for this purpose :)
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