10 Characteristics of A Happy Family

Everyone wants to have a happy and loving family. It brings us peace, stability, and support.

There’s really nothing that can replace it.

If yours demonstrates these characteristics, you all are well on your way.

1. Sense of Belonging

One of our basic human needs is to feel that we belong to a tribe; another group of people.

Happy families embrace this and make everyone feel like “one of us.”

2. Loyalty

Relationships within a family are the strongest and most important bonds we will create in our lives.

Happy families know that when push comes to shove, these bonds will come first.

3. Support

Everybody will have down times. This is why we need people who care about us and lift us up, no questions asked.

Happy families have each other’s backs no matter what.

4. Acceptance

We each have things that make us different.

And sometimes these things make us feel self-conscious. Or even alone.

Happy families accept each member as they are, quirks and all.

5. Open Communication

Many of our troubles stem from our unwillingness to say how we feel.

And this unwillingness often leads to resentment.

Happy families don’t let things fester. They get them out in the open where they can be dealt with.

6. Clear Expectations

Whether we like it or not, we need rules to thrive. But it doesn’t have to be a lengthy list of dos and don’ts.

Happy families have clear and reasonable expectations of what each member must do.

7. Discipline

There’s no point in having rules and expectations if they’re not enforced.

Happy families hold each other accountable and ensure that each member is holding up their end of the bargain.

8. Patience

We all screw up. But we don’t need our noses rubbed in it every time it happens.

Happy families are slow to anger and quick to extend each other grace.

9. Kindness

As Mark Twain once said, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try and cheer somebody else up.”

Happy families are willing to put the needs of others first without keeping a scorecard.

10. Love

While this is the most cliche thing possible to end with, I’m doing it because it’s true:

“I might not always like you. But I always love you.”

Happy families don’t just say “I love you.” They show it through their actions.

Conclusion

How many of these characteristics does your family show on a routine basis? What characteristics did I miss?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

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