Easy Steps to Building a Happy (and Healthy) Family Life

                                                                    

Once you've decided to have children, it becomes imperative for you to work towards being a good parent. As a parent, you're shaping a human being and everything you do will now have a direct impact on your children. Fostering a healthy living environment is the best way to make sure that your family remains happy and healthy for years to come.

The following are five easy steps to ensure family success:

1. Plan Family Activities. 

A family that plays together stays together. Okay, that may sound a little cliché, but it's true. Whether they're babies, toddlers or teenagers, children love getting out of the house and doing something fun. Planning annual vacations, playing sports together and having weekly movie nights are all great ways to make the most of the time your family spends together.

2. Be a Parent and a Friend. 

When it comes to your children, you'll need to find a balance between being their enforcer and their friend. While it's your job to make certain rules, it's also your job to instill a trusting relationship with your children (especially when they hit their teenage years) so they feel comfortable coming to you when they need help. If your children are being honest with you (even if you don't like what they're telling you), make sure you tell them how much you appreciate their openness.

3. Teach Your Children about Sex Education. 

Sexual education can be an awkward topic between parents and children. And, while schools are doing a great job of teaching children about sexual health, it's still your job as a parent to discuss these issues with your kids. When the time is right, talking to your children about condoms and birth control and teaching them about the importance of safe sex will help to eliminate some of their concerns and may prevent unwanted situations from arising in the future.

4. Present a United Front.

If you and your husband/wife are still together, it's important to present a united front to your children. This means keeping your personal conflicts away from your children and agreeing on decisions that are made. If you argue in front of your children, they know they can play the two of you against each other. This will cause even more conflict and will result in a dysfunctional family environment.

5.  Reward Good Behaviour. 

When your children do something good (regardless of their age), it's important to reward their behaviour and acknowledge that you've noticed their actions. Sometimes it's so easy to focus on the bad behaviour and the punishment that we forget to reward the good stuff. Positive reinforcement is always a great parenting technique and will help your children grow up to be the nurturing, respectful adults every parent hopes for.