Sticking together as a family – even in challenging times

Family cohesion is especially important in more difficult and unfamiliar times. The current coronavirus pandemic and the necessary measures associated with it, as well as homeschooling and working from home, can sometimes cause tense moods.

You should therefore firmly incorporate shared time into your current daily routine. This not only strengthens your bond, but also brings you to other positive thoughts. The most important thing is fun. Because laughing together drives away worries for a short time and brings lightness to everyday family life.

You can use the time to get to know each other in different ways. Shared time is just as important here as the recognition and respect of each family member's personal space. This especially promotes your sensitivity and empathy for one another.

You give each other strength and support, to hope together for better times and to plan them through intensive conversations.Whether game afternoons, walks or entirely new family rituals – enjoy the moments that allow you to grow together as a family.

Family cohesion – strong together

Family cohesion means not only that you are there for each other on good days, but also on bad days are there for one another and provide mutual support. This way, each family member goes through life with much more positive energy because they know that home is a place of retreat and loved ones are waiting for them. However, the cohesion of your family is not only expressed in the relationship between you and your children, but also among the siblings. Sibling relationships can also be positively influenced by shared family time . However, family cohesion is strengthened not only by shared time, but also by awareness of one another. Daily, smaller hurdles stand in its way that depend on the different age groups, viewpoints and the respective needs of all family members are dependent. Intensive exchange, game afternoons or joint craft projects are perfect for maintaining access to one another and preventing larger conflicts. The feeling of togetherness can be influenced above all by jointly planned outings, projects and rituals . If your kids are involved in decisions, they are more motivated and a good mood develops. In general: Shape your family time as you like and find commonalities that can be incorporated into your daily routine as rituals or other activities into your everyday life – these can, by the way, be continued into your children's adulthood.

The parent-child relationship – inseparably connected

The parent-child relationship is probably the most formative relationship that children enter into in their lives – at least it is the first that has a significant influence on their development . As parents, you pass on values and ideals to your kids, teach and accompany them as they discover their own abilities, and stand by them when they deal with their feelings.

Your bond and unconditional love never diminish if you care for them regularly and intensively. You will certainly experience different phases in which your children sometimes prefer dad or sometimes prefer mom, and you can respond accordingly. To help you better understand such phases, HABA has compiled the different relationship constellations and explained them.

Mother-child relationship

The mother-child relationship is an intense bond that already is very formative for biological reasons and important for the child's development. Already during pregnancy and in the first months of life, mothers and children get to know their love and specialness through a lot of physical closeness .

As children get older, the close love can take other forms. The little explorers now need more freedom, to discover their own abilities. The gradual detachment is sometimes tinged with wistfulness, but also brings so many new wonderful experiences with your children.

How you maintain your relationship and foster and strengthen a healthy bond in the long term has been summarized by HABA on the page about the mother-child relationship.

Father-daughter relationship

Alongside mothers, fathers are the most important people in the development of their daughters. Generally, fathers interact with their daughters somewhat differently than mothers, which is why above all self-confidence and independence are promoted by an intensive father-daughter relationship.

The way you deal with your own kids also shapes the future way of interacting with others and, in daughters in particular, later partner choice. At the latest during puberty, however, the relationship between fathers and daughters can also change due to various external influences.

How to deal with this and how you can strengthen your relationship with each other can be found on the page about the father-daughter relationship. Browse through our helpful tips and get active.

Mama- or papa-child

In child development it is completely normal for children to have phases during which they become exclusively attached to one parent.

Whether mama-child or papa-child, this can change in phases – even quickly and repeatedly. Even though these behaviors are often perceived negatively, they are to be regarded as completely natural.

These phases reflect the development of your kids' personalities . If you worry about this and especially feel unsure about how to deal with the mama-child or papa-child situation, you can use various guides .

How to deal with this form of the parent-child relationship and which tips you should consider to check whether the phase is actually worrying can be read on the relevant topic page.

Ready for fatherhood

When the first child is on the way, alongside the enormous anticipation the question often arises whether you are up to the new parental role.

Especially for fathers, the time begins in which they can actively build a relationship with their child , often only after the birth. Some fathers therefore experience the feeling that they cannot immediately match this strong maternal bond to their own offspring.

Basically, you should never compare your father-child relationship with other constellations.There are a few helpful tips and suggestions

, on how you can prepare for what is probably the most exciting time in your life.HABA has compiled the most important information and explanations

on the page about becoming and being a father. Learn more and let your feelings guide you.

Children are only drawn to one parent – is that a cause for concern?Are your children more mama- or papa-children? No matter what answer you have, it is .

not a reason to worryVery few children are consistently mama- or papa-children.The younger kids are, the more important the mother as a caregiver, because she often spends the most time with them. As children become more mobile, fathers are often the favorite play partners

. Fixation on one parent can occur repeatedly throughout childhood – also alternating between mom and dad.Even if it is difficult, the 'rejected' parent should not be offended or demand an explanation. If kids feel particularly drawn to mom or dad, this does that it .

neither that they reject the other parent nor that this parent has done something wrongTip for dealing with this situation: You can subtly involve the other parent in various situations.

If dad should put on the shoes, mom can already fetch them. If only mom is allowed to read the bedtime story, simply read it together as a threesome.

A very special bond – siblingssiblings contribute to cohesion in the family. Shared play and learning times are as much a part of this as preventing arguments and rivalries. The bond between siblings can become one of the most significant and enduring connections in your children's lives.

How you can preserve and actively shape family cohesion has been summarized by HABA for you. Because even before siblings see the light of the world, you can prepare your children for them and promote sibling love.

Preparing for siblings

The next addition to the family is awaited with great anticipation. Not only does your life change , but also that of your children. The right time to tell them that they can expect a sibling depends on the age of your kids.

Besides conversations and explanations, there are various aspects you can consider in the preparation for siblings .

How to best prepare toddlers and older kids for another sibling can be found on the corresponding HABA magazine page.

With the most important information and helpful tips you will be best prepared for probably the most exciting time in your family life.

Deep connection: sibling love

Sibling love is something very special. It influences the cohesion in the family and determines the character development of your kids. In addition to a strong sense of togetherness, teamwork skills are especially promoted.

You as parents are also involved in sibling love. Already during pregnancy and in the first months of the siblings' lives you can influence and actively promote your kids' relationship and bond.

On the page about sibling love, HABA has compiled the most important tips for promoting this special bond between siblings. By the way, you will get ideas to properly celebrate the annual Siblings' Day on April 10 .

Shared time for stronger family cohesion

To gain the necessary distance from stress and upsetting events, family time is the perfect opportunity for some relaxation and lots of love. Whether joint game afternoons, firmly scheduled family rituals or trips together into nature and outings with children – your family time can be organized in many different ways.

Make time for the family on purpose. Plan with all family members fixed times to spend together only. It is especially important here to take the little ones into account and involve them in the planning.

HABA has gathered some ideas that are intended to inspire you for your shared family time.

Family rituals

Whether a shared breakfast or dinner, walks at set times, reading aloud before bedtime or afternoons and evenings with exciting family game ideas – Family rituals are characterized above all by regularity. They are agreed times and activities that are firmly part of your family routine and agreed with all those involved.

For designing your family rituals it is important that everyone pulls together and are aware that the times are only for the family . This way you permanently strengthen the connection to each other.

Moreover, children tend to open up more when they have their structured environment and know that they are listened to attentively. Your sense of togetherness offers them and you a feeling of security.

Family outings

Hiking, long walks in pleasant weather or action-packed excursion destinations – outings with children make the whole family's hearts beat faster and also promote cohesion. Besides the fun you have together, you will certainly learn one thing or another about nature and the environment.

Joint outings do not necessarily need something super extravagant. Even outings on a small budget provide plenty of joy for young and old. The focus should always be the time together and the fun. Enjoy your outings to the fullest, because they are like balm for the soul.

Making time for each other

When it comes to family time, above all the deliberate taking of time for one another is decisive for strengthening your cohesion and sense of togetherness.

It is not always easy to meet everyone's needs. Therefore it is all the more important that you listen to each other and can make compromises and also pass this message on to your children.

Consciously take a break from everyday stress and come to rest together. Conversations can also be great to incorporate into various activities such as baking, playing or crafting with children into them, so they do not seem forced.

It is also important to recognize and respect the personal space of each family member. Especially because you spend every day together, a balance is important for family peace.

Joint projects

To strengthen relationships within the family, joint projects are optimal opportunities to discover commonalities, live them out and get to know each other better.

Thus you can together garden with your children and show off your green thumb or relax in joint crafting sessions. Often ideas arise in joint activities that you would not have thought of as an individual. Thus, above all, sense of achievement strengthen cohesion and the relationship with one another.

If something didn't go as you had hoped, that is also easier to bear as a team, because you can cheer each other up and try again .

Doing housework together

Everyone has their role and duties in the family. But sometimes it is much nicer when they are tackled together. Housework in particular offers various opportunities to actively involve children and give them the feeling that their help is needed and they are wanted. This strengthens self-confidence and also fills them with pride.

Whether sorting laundry, taking out the trash, putting away one's own toys after playing or unloading the dishwasher: everyone can help. Just make sure that especially for toddlers you choose age-appropriate and not too overwhelming tasks .

Only in this way do your kids not lose the fun, which is also important for the future when they may want and should take on more tasks.

Resolving conflicts together as a family

In the daily routine it is completely normal for one conflict or another to arise. Overcoming it and dispelling all doubts is especially successful when you stick together as a family. Thus, empathy and the necessary sensitivity are what you can teach your children early on.

It is important that all family members have the certainty that they can turn to anyone in the family and that they are listened to attentively and their problems taken seriously .Family cohesion is based on trust. And that arises through shared time and the knowledge that the family discusses conflict resolution.

If larger family disputes have nevertheless arisen that you cannot cope with on your own, family counseling is a possible and neutral support that lends you a hand.

Tips for strong family cohesion

• plan regular shared time

• speak openly with each other

• admit mistakes & be able to forgive

• set a firm structure & clear boundaries

• maintain family rituals

• accept changes

• plan & implement joint projects

• accept & respect the personal space of each family member

• make decisions together as a family

• show willingness to compromise & teach children

• allow no distractions such as smartphones, tablets & co.

For strong cohesion: compatibility of family & career

Managing the family while advancing your career at the same time is anything but easy – but still possible. How both parents pull together, avoid everyday stress and make the seemingly impossible family time possible can, HABA has compiled on the relevant topic pages.

Division of labor & time management

The compatibility of one's own career and managing family cohesion is associated with challenges for both mothers and fathers. Also due to pressure from outside.

But this pressure should not throw you off balance. You yourselves are able to coordinate both. How do you best do that?

With helpful tips to avoid everyday stress as well as ideas on how you can handle your working hours in a family-friendly way, you are able to juggle family and career.

Family work: indispensable & valuable

Family work includes all activities associated with the childrearing and the household that go along with it. That family work is important and above all real work is sometimes ignored by society.

Always keep in mind: your family work is indispensable to society and of infinite emotional value to your loved ones.

On the page about family work you will learn how to best coordinate tasks with each other and which other factors are indispensable for functioning family management.

Cohesion in a patchwork family

When two families become one and suddenly unknown children become siblings, it is a very special situation for the entire patchwork family.

Nothing seems to correspond to the classic image of family anymore, and yet family cohesion can be built and an intimate connection established. A lot of sensitivity and understanding are required in a patchwork family. You should also in this constellation consciously take time for each other, to understand one another better, get to know each other and get a feeling for how you can shape your family time together . Only in this way will you be able to reconcile the needs of each family member and make compromises.

Once you have found a connection with each other, the foundation is laid to grow even more strongly together as a family in the future.Personal spaces are meant in the same way as firmly scheduled family time. Especially in patchwork families, the children should be given enough time to meet with their other parent outside of the new family constellation.Shared time with mom or dad and also with stepmom or stepdad are equally part of everyday life, provided that this is also your children's wish.

You should also show understanding for one another, because this belongs to family cohesion just like family time and love.

Image credits

Family arriving at the park for a picnic © Jacob Lund - stock.adobe.com

Children playing soccer © Svitlana – stock.adobe.com

Father lying with baby on bed © Louis-Photo – stock.adobe.com

Mother spending time with her children © zinkevych - stock.adobe.com

Mother and children doing laundry together © ABCreative - stock.adobe.com

Family sitting with child in front of the sofa © Halfpoint - stock.adobe.com

Mother and children at the laptop © natalialeb - stock.adobe.com

Dad vacuuming the kitchen with his two children © Halfpoint - stock.adobe.com

Family sitting together at the dining table © NDABCREATIVITY - stock.adobe.com