Will regular communication through email or even texting allow you to build stronger ties to our family.
Invite your family members to participate in a family communication group.
Yes there are some do’s and suggested don’ts:
Decide what tool to use: email, c;losed FaceBook Page, text or what ever form you perfer. Be prepared for a few surprises along the way.
Make sure that you set a few ground rules and be prepared to enjoy sharing with your family
Do you sometimes feel alone and far away from your family?
Yes, you know that they care for you and want you to be happy, but it seems you never hear from anyone.
Who writes snail-mail letters any more? Who has time for that. Besides that, answers are so slow to arrive! If you get one.
Then, besides all that we can just call, right?
However a glance at the clock tells you that your mom is busy with dinner preprations, your sister is winding down her day, playing with the kids who have been in day care all day. Thy love you, but they are busy too.
A text with a few words is always good too, and you can write when it is convienent for you, as well as answer at a time you have time to do so.
And your family members can also contact you the same way. However, a communication with more than 3 words can be a welcome message when you are working out a solution to an issue, or just want to share more!
In today’s fast-paced world, staying connected with family is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for our well-being and happiness. Research consistently highlights the profound impact that maintaining strong family bonds can have on our mental, emotional, and even physical health.
I would like to share some insights and strategies on why and how to prioritize staying connected with your loved ones. You see, it is important. Building strong family ties is a safety net for what life throws your way.
Don’t Ignore The Health Benefits
- Your Mental Health Benefits: In Journal of Psychology Today, research by A Smith examined “The Impact of Family Relationships on Mental Health reinforces the importance of family connection.”
Like most “good for you habits,” getting started with a family communications group does need someone pushing you to move forward. So if this sounds like a project you might be interested in please give it a go.
The main thing to remember is family groups can be prickley, but the mental and emotional support will give you a boost. Will everything you propose be met with a hearty gung-ho attitude? Maybe not, but you can expect a surprise or two along the way.
I do relaize that the success I met was partly due to being the mom and grandmom. So I was accepted as an “authority figure.” Your group may include your sister and sitster-in-law, with cousins. You may have just your siblings. However, your group can benifet from knowing each other better, and being in each other’s lives.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Set aside time each week or month for your check-in, Nothing dies quicker than and unacknowledged note sent in a family communication group. We did have face to face groups during the pandimic. However, noone was really interested in a weekly or monthly call sechedule once we got back to normal.
I strongly suspect that having 3 different time zones is partly to blame. I also think that we have all grown comforatable with the ease of email and in the habit so not so willing to make a change.
If your group is older and lack computer skills, a video call of some kind might be a better option. If not, a phone call that shares the information from a weekly email group can let you connect members to each other.
Just don’t give up easily. If you feel the 2 of you who do communicate don’t really benefit from the effort, don’t give up on the idea. You know yourself, sometimes nothing appeals. This is when you send out the letter as suggested in a previous trust. Change will often be the move that allows your group to mature and grow.
Seldom do we get everyone home at the same time, but I try to share the times we do get together in our letter for the grandkids in Arizona and California. Often that promts a reply with an update that allows our whole family to “be n touch.”
Use Technology
In today’s digital age, technology offers numerous ways to stay connected with family, even across long distances.
From messaging apps to social media platforms to video conferencing tools, they are out there and available.
Often older member just need a little coaching to be a part of the group. Being included in a group of people who care about each other and want the best for all member is a rare blessing. Make use of the inner power and strengh you have available to make your life richer.
Find out what your sisters kids are doing. What school interests keep them in the loop. These are the little things that keep the ties strong.
Use the technology available to you. Learn something new and be a part of the group.
Remember to Express Gratitude
When someone joins in let them know that you appreciate their note added in this weeks group letter. Adding anything you can remember from when you were all in the same place can make that family memeber feel important.
No I am not saying go overboard and sickeny sweet and false gtateful, just acknowledge that that person has contributed to the dialogue and that you appreciate it.
Someone needs to be the example of how to treat others in a family communications group. It is OK if it is you..
A simple message expressing gratitude for their support and presence in your life can go a long way in nurturing your relationships.
By prioritizing family connections and implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a strong support system and enrich your life with love, understanding, and joy.
Sami’s take on this “Guide for How to Build Strong Ties With Your Family”
This idea of a family group to share emails with may have not been on your radar, but I do encourage you to give it some thought. No group it too old, or to young.
Look at your family and figure out a working model that you would love to work towards. It won’t happen overnight, but you should be able to build.
My parents are no longer alive, and me and my generation is the one to keep things going in our family.
We still have family reunions with up to 40 or more family members at out reunions. I feel we have benefited from the strong heritage from our folks.
We retell the stories we heard as we were growing up. Our younger members are hearing them and getting their family backgroung colored in.
My Mom looks down and smiles on us at our efforts to keep our family n touch.
Thank you for reading,
Sami