Chappy Jenny's Report
Family Connection
How do families connect and stay strong? Like anything that’s important in life, thought and planning needs to happen to help build family connection so that everyone feels valued, loved, and has a sense of belonging. As the holidays are quickly approaching, here are two ideas that you might want to think about…
Through Celebration:
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey
Celebrations bring families together (often around food) and offer opportunity to bond and strengthen the relationships within the family unit. In my family, we’ve had a year of many celebrations – 20th, 50th and 80th birthdays, important anniversaries, a graduation ceremony, and even a baptism. Around each of these events, we have come together as a family to celebrate and honour the individuals, but it has also helped to encourage connection as a family by spending quality time together. But it’s not just through those significant moments, but also in celebrating all the little milestones along the way as well. Both big and small celebrations help families connect. What is your next family celebration?
Through Fun:
“A happy family is but an earlier heaven” – George Bernard Shaw
Having fun, organising wonderful adventures, and creating joyful moments will bring families together. Routines are important, but space for fun surprises and unexpected joys will create great memories that will be treasured throughout all of life. The summer holidays gives families lots of time for fun and adventure. What have you got planned?
I hope that in the coming holidays that you find many opportunities to have special times that are both fun and celebrate your family.
Blessings,
Jennifer Bennett