What are your top 3 tips to having a happy family??

I have decided that I'm going to take a proactive approach in creating the family life I want instead of feeling out of control and overwhelmed when things aren't running smoothly.

What are the things that you consciously do to keep your family life happy and running smoothly?

If I had to pick 3 now I would say:
1. Never give in to that first frustrated reaction - it passes so quickly for me and then I can react in a kind, mindful way instead.
2. Having activities that we all enjoy and do together - board games are the flavour of the month ;)
3. Tidy the house up before bed - waking up to a messy house doesn't help Mummy's happiness levels lol

I would love to hear some more ideas :)

1- don't worry about the small stuff, it really doesn't matter.
2- make time for tickles, dancing and laughing every day, it improves everyone's mood.
3- spend quality time doing things all together as often as possible.

Great thread :)

1: play and laugh as often as possible!
2: the cleaning can wait (unless it is causing friction)
3: Kiss cuddle and be respectful to all emotions :hug:m

The ones we've kind of fallen into using without really thinking about it...

1. Say I love you. Say it often and mean it.
2. Don't go to bed angry. If something is bugging you, or you're upset over something, talk about it. Clear the air and move on.
3. Play with each other. In our house it's ticklefights, silly games and tricking each other.

1. Make time for your relationship with your partner. Have dates (even if it's just sitting down to dinner together after kids are in bed- TV off!)
2. Cleaning can wait. It's MUCH more important that you sit down with your little one/s and play than vacuum!
3. Don't forget to look after yourself. Take time to do things for YOU. Relax whenever possible!

1. Take time out as a couple. We try to have "date night" each Saturday night. Consists of a movie, a bag of chips and a bag of m&ms. We also try to go out by ourselves once every couple of months. If we can't go out, then we go to the drive in.

2. Enjoy the little things. If it's a nice night, go and have a play on a beach, or take dinner to the park and have a picnic. We do the beach during summer even though it's over an hour away for us.

3. Open the windows and doors on a mild or sunny day. Fresh air clears the soul and makes for a happy household.

1. Really listen to what your children think/want and treat them with the level of respect that you would give to any adult.
2. Say yes, more than no. I don't mean give them everything they want, but if they want you to sit and do a jigsaw with them, the ironing can wait! If you don't make yourself available to them and encourage togetherness in activities now, you've got no hope of them wanting to include you in their lives as they get older.
3. Nurture your relationship with your partner. As well as making you both happier, which passes on to your kids, a friend of mine's very wise father once told him that the best gift you can give your children is to cherish their mother. So true (and vice versa of course).

Take holidays. Even just a night away can break up the monotony of life.
Pick your battles. If it is going to bother you then say something but sometimes it's easier to do it yourself (ie if someone leaves a towel on the floor just pick it up)
When the kids go to bed don't do housework. Take that time to yourself. Read a book cuddle on the couch and watch tv. In other words have some me time

I wish we could do some of this stuff :(


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

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1. Make time for your relationship with your partner. Have dates (even if it's just sitting down to dinner together after kids are in bed- TV off!)
2. Cleaning can wait. It's MUCH more important that you sit down with your little one/s and play than vacuum!
3. Don't forget to look after yourself. Take time to do things for YOU. Relax whenever possible!

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Great suggestions Glenny! Exactly what I was going to say :dance:

1. communication.
2. accepting each other as individuals.
3. including everyone in household chores (even small children can help put things back in boxes or on shelves) as many hands make light work. (and maybe lower the standards of tidy to 'lived in')


I guess I try to follow a few (often easier said than done) principles: do as you would be done by, walk a mile in another shoes before you judge them and stand up for what you believe in. In everything empathy and critical thought, taking time to breath and think before reacting. I think it is important for everyone to feel important and included. Time together outside (near nature) works wonders. My kids love it when we call kick a ball or throw a frisbee together.

1. Eat amazing food. We are on the GAPS diet which heals depression (among other things) and even though I wasn't depressed I feel fantastic and my son with autism is healing and he's so happy. Certainly makes us all happy!

2. Forget the chores and get out of the house. We go somewhere every Saturday morning and it really helps make sure we've spent time together having fun and not getting caught up cleaning or whatever.

3. Laugh, love, kiss and cuddle a million times a day.

So many awesome ideas! I think I am going to really focus on picking up a new 'happy habit' every few weeks to work into our family routine.

Tenibear - why can't you? Maybe choosing one and focusing on incorporating it into your day on purpose will help give you the confidence to pick up more and more.

The main one I need to work on is not sweating the small stuff lol I might chose that one first ;)

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1. Really listen to what your children think/want and treat them with the level of respect that you would give to any adult.
2. Say yes, more than no. I don't mean give them everything they want, but if they want you to sit and do a jigsaw with them, the ironing can wait! If you don't make yourself available to them and encourage togetherness in activities now, you've got no hope of them wanting to include you in their lives as they get older.
3. Nurture your relationship with your partner. As well as making you both happier, which passes on to your kids, a friend of mine's very wise father once told him that the best gift you can give your children is to cherish their mother. So true (and vice versa of course).

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I just wanted to say that your number 2 here really hit a chord with me. I've often wondered in my own life why my Mum and I aren't close like lots of other Mum's and daughters and I think you've hit the nail on the head. We didn't really do much together when I was growing up so I can see why I don't automatically try to 'include' her in my life now like a lot of my friends do. Don't get me wrong, I see her and stuff....just not much and I am happy with that. I do however think that she wishes she was included more now, but I find it hard having not had her include me so to speak....

Fun quality time; with your child/ren, with your partner and with yourself.

Mornings are for DP and DD (I take one for the team and sleep in haha), during the day is for me and DD, after DP gets home from work (and weekends) we spend time all together, after DD is asleep then me and DP get our time together (and apart if ever neccesary, we don't seem to need that at this point though but the oppurtunity being there is important I think).

Other things I think are important is some sunshine, fresh air and exercise everyday as well as good food!

Make sure everyone gets enough sleep.
Keep on top of the housework - a tidy home is less stressful for everyone.
Try and get outside very day.

1. Split myself up into the work mum and the home mum. When I try and do both at once I get cranky and it is unrealistic anyway.
2. Be empathetic and respect each other, and have the same rules for everyone.
3. Get enough rest. Exhaustion turns me into someone I don't like.

Double post

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The main one I need to work on is not sweating the small stuff lol I might chose that one first ;)

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That is for sure the hardest one!!

we have a 2 year old and are expecting a second child april 2012, our family like most is not perfect and we have definitely had our trying moments but the thing that is most valued in our house is time.
Unless work prevents, we always sit down as a family for tea and discuss our days. My son and i are together all day so when his daddy gets home from work they spend time playing together which gives me time to go for my walk or study or watch the news! and after tea i bathe my son and get him ready for bedtime and his daddy gets time to himself to do what ever it is he does. on weekends we have movie nights while our son is in bed and during the days we feed the ducks together and visit playgrounds and just enjoy our little boy together. i think the key to a happy family is understanding each others needs. As long as my partner and i have our alone time every day to talk even for 10 minutes, then i know we are on the same page.

Play with your kids, don't just be in the same room with them, actually PLAY with them, my DSs face lights up like a christmas tree when I lie on the floor pushing around trains and matchbox cars :)
Fresh Air, Fresh Air, Fresh Air!!! Its invigorating, it helps everyone sleep better, and it's fun!
Date Nights for Mum & Dad. Although we don't necessarily go out every time, sometimes DH will go and pick up takeaway from our favourite Indian Restaurant, Other times we'll watch DVDs and have some yummy snacks, other times DS might have a sleep over at Nan's and we'll have a couples massage and then dinner that evening. Happy Parents = Happy Kids :)

1)spending quality time as a family i.e going to the beach, park, picnics
2)nice holidays
3)minimising TV, so there is more interaction between us and our kids.

1: prioritsing my activites. washing can wait etc

2: trying not to yell at my kids and not being so negitive

3: to always tell them i love them