For Your Family: 4 Ways to Create Stability in an Unstable World

1.Be Intentional (with your time and your attitude)- Being open and accessible to your spouse and children can give them a “safe place” to process their fears, struggles, and questions in response to life looking very different right now.  Ask intentional questions to understand their perspectives and fears, create family time that allows for these conversations (ie. Family dinners with no screens), resists the urge to “fix” it and validate what they are experiencing, and when they pull away (teens!!), lean in!

2.Model Stability to Them- Don’t be the “do what I say but not as I do” parent. Children learn from what they see, and often times our actions speak much louder than words.  Take steps to address your own anxiety/emotional issues so you can model health to others. 

3.Check your Priorities- In our performance based/child-centered culture, priorities often get out of balance.  I always tell couples, the best thing that you can do for your children is to have a strong marriage.  Families (whether married or single parenting) do not function well if they are child-centered.  Children feel secure when they have rules and guidelines, not the burden of making decisions for the family.  

4.Create Fun-“Laughter is the best medicine.” Ideas for family fun: kitchen dance party, board game, family talent show…it is important to enjoy each other and laugh!

Lane Beatty is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who practices at Rooted Counseling Center in Greenhills.  She is passionate about helping marriages and families.  She is married to Blanding, and they have 3 children, Johnson, Everett, and Fort.  For more information about Lane and Rooted, please visit http://www.rootedcounselingcenter.com, or reach out directly to Lane at mailto:lane@rootedcounselingcenter.com