We have celebrated several holidays this year and several more are on the horizon. This morning, I was listening to Yogi Berra’s son, talking about how his father played such an important part in his sobriety. It moved me toward this blog’s topic, WHAT IF WE HAVE FAMILY DAY AS A HOLIDAY? I realize we have many of the holidays which bring families together but they are for other great reasons for celebration. How about a single day or weekend that is devoted totally to celebrating the family.

We used to have family reunions, and a small number still have them. When you think about your childhood, it is likely an annual family reunion is in this mix. It certainly is in mine. I was close to my cousins and all of my aunts and uncles at that time, and now it is only on social media or funerals that most of the interacting takes place. What does that say about the family unit and where we are heading?

I found this statement about positive and negative effects of family in Google: Family dynamics significantly impact health in both positive and negative ways. Having a close-knit and supportive family provides emotional support, economic well-being, and increases overall health. … When family life is characterized by stress and conflict, the health of family members tends to be negatively affected.

This is a good read for all of us to discover how important the family unit is for our well being:

The Benefits of Healthy Families

https://www.livestrong.com/article/147185-the-benefits-of-healthy-families/

SARA IPATENCO

Families are a source of emotional support, love, security and protection, reports Healthy Children. Healthy family relationships result in happy and secure children and give parents the ultimate reward of being important in the life of a child. Healthy families benefit each family member in important ways and help provide a unique sense of belonging and value that cannot be found in other relationships. The benefits of healthy families are far-reaching and all encompassing.

Moral Character

The love and support of family members motivates many people to continually strive to be better people. The development of strong moral character is one important benefit of a healthy family because it builds a bond between family members that is centered on a similar belief system. Healthy Children reports that families provide guidance to children regarding values, discipline and the internal code of conduct that motivates human behavior. A similar belief system can also encourage each family member to pursue his own interests while adhering to a strong set of personal beliefs and expectations, says Healthy Children. When each family member feels supported and valued it builds a healthy bond that encourages the formation of strong moral character.

Physical Health

Healthy family relationships often translate to healthy eating and exercise habits as well. According to Kids Health, families who engage in healthy eating and exercise together will ultimately become a healthier and stronger family unit. Parents are encouraged to model and explain to children why eating certain foods is healthy and how exercise can benefit all aspects of a healthy life. Finding time to cook healthy meals together and engage in physical activity will build a stronger and healthier family that will benefit from being physically healthy. Kids Health also indicates that children who are taught how to eat healthy and exercise during childhood are more likely to become healthy adults who also raise a healthy family.

Independence

Healthy families encourage each member to become independent and self-sufficient. Healthy Children reports that parents can offer important and necessary guidance to their children to help promote independence that will serve a child as she grows up. Offering children increased independence as they grow will build healthy families that are secure and comfortable enough to disagree with one another while also supporting individual interests and opinions. Healthy Children indicates that autonomy builds a child’s confidence while also teaching her important problem solving skills that will follow her in other relationships she builds throughout her life. Healthy Children also suggests that giving each family member a role or specific duties will help build a partnership that will allow for increased independence as a child grows.

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Note from Blogger: Yesterday I was busy working as I have been all week. I had realized it was Friday and the weekend was coming soon. It had been a week of different stresses, not all work related but stressful anyway. It was close to the work week closing and I was satisfied with the project’s status. We had wind damage to some trees on our property but my husband had jumped into action and had the young man who helps doing yard work and handi man jobs take care of the cleanup with some assistance from Greg. I had counted our blessings and was checking out some final tests, when I heard some sounds coming from our backyard. To my surprise, my sister Juanelle and her granddaughter Makenzie had slipped in for a visit. Talking about forgetting all of the stress and enjoying some time with them, wow!

I think we should have a national celebration for the family. On that day, no arguments between family members should be allowed. We should only be able to call or communicate with family so friends, business associates should be busy with their families. I have watched over this past week of a family who united and the best part is this is an annual event of a lot of them go to the beach and are together for the entire time. I saw photos of them flying kites. When is the last time any of us found the time to go together and fly kites with the children and adults? Kudos to my dear friends Wanda Medders, her husband, children and grands, Dianne Troupe and her family members, and especially the children and grands of their deceased sister, Teresa Hester. How special and important for them to be included in this family event.

Our lives are busy; I get it! All of us have so many things to do or really do we? Tomorrow is Father’s Day and how many plan to see your father if you are blessed to have your father around? Or will other events be more important. I have a rule of mine and it may not mean a hill of beans to anybody reading this……As long as your parents are living, they outrank you on celebrating special days. If you go to your in laws, nothing wrong with that but how does one set of parents outrank the other? Go see both or one on one day and the other on the next. Is this asking too much? Shame on you. So think about how many times they came through for you. Enough said……Have a great holiday and remember, this is one of the days family is celebrated, one member at a time.

LIVE LIFE; LOVE LIFE; LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST BY HONORING THE FAMILY, ESPECIALLY YOUR OWN.

(C) COPYRIGHT Arline Miller of Sipping Cups of Inspiration with all rights and privileges reserved. Third party material is sourced to original location if known for credit reference.