Making time to talk – the key to building strong family relationships
Communication is key to building and strengthening family relationships. Research shows that communication is essential for strong marital, parent-child, and sibling relationships and that clear, open, and frequent communication is a basic characteristic of a strong, healthy family. You can foster family conversations by making time to talk. Don’t forget that good communication involves not just talking, but actively listening to what others have to say.
Spend time talking and actively listening to children about the things that interest them. You can set aside time in the mornings before school or at night before bedtime. Don’t forget to check in with each other as adults. Talk about all the good things – you can talk about shared memories, shared interests, what you like about each other. Taking this time to talk to one another will allow you to set priorities within your family, to build connections and cooperation with each other. Having family discussions are also great ways to resolve conflicts that may come up.
A few ways you can build effective communication within your family are; communicating frequently, communicating clearly and directly, being an active listener, being open and honest with each other and paying attention to non-verbal messages.
Phoenix Rising for Children
Phoenix Rising For Children (PRFC) are accredited by The Office of The Children’s Guardian, peak government body in NSW for child protection. PRFC was established in 2001 and are experienced in provision of specialist services to children and their families for Family & Community Services, Non Government Agencies, Family Law Court Matters and Private Family Agreements. PRFC operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment, and as such we support organisations that encompass similar ideals.
PRFC’s focus is the wellbeing and safety of children while providing parents with opportunities to care for and engage with their children. These visits allow parents to demonstrate relationship and parenting skills.
PRFC’s qualified staff closely monitor contact visits in a supportive and positive way. We understand each family has a unique story and we seek to bring clarity and resolution whilst facilitating a service that is both safe and enjoyable for children and parents.
Phoenix Rising For Children have experience and expertise working with children and families affected by difficult and stressful circumstances.
We provide:
- In excess of 17 years experience providing supervised
- contact services
- Immediate availability to accept family referrals
- Qualified, experienced professional family supervisors
- High level of confidentiality
- 24 hour/ 365 days per year support to clients and personnel
- Detailed, well written reports appropriate for court matters
The services we provide include; supervised family contact, supervised transportation, supervised handover, mentoring and youth work support. We also provide interim supervised contact, pre-requested contact visit meetings between children and supervisors, and detailed contact visit reports.
We are contactable in the following ways:
T: 02 9873 3992,
Write to us at PO Box 71, Oatlands 2117 or
Email: scheduler@phoenixrising.org.au
Learn more about our services at www.phoenixrising.org.au
More tips to building strong family relationships; being a role model and sending clear messages
Children are influenced by the actions of those around them more than we know or realise. As Michelle Obama said, “We’re our kids’ first and best role models. So the first question is, what are you as a mom or a dad doing every day, or every week, to start getting into the good habits?”
By modelling how you want children to behave, you can have a strong impact on the choices they make. For example, you can set an example with your health by eating healthy and exercising regularly. You can keep a positive and optimistic attitude, in an effort to provide an example of a healthy attitude to life. On a smaller scale, if you want them to speak in an ‘inside voice’, you can use that same inside voice with them and others – you’ll find that they will likely imitate your actions.
It’s also important to match what you do with what you say – the old adage ‘Do what I say and not what I do’ should be thrown out the window! It sends mixed messages to young children and confuses them. Be clear with your expectations of them and establish boundaries for them.
Phoenix Rising for Children
Phoenix Rising For Children (PRFC) are accredited by The Office of The Children’s Guardian, peak government body in NSW for child protection. PRFC was established in 2001 and are experienced in provision of specialist services to children and their families for Family & Community Services, Non Government Agencies, Family Law Court Matters and Private Family Agreements. PRFC operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment, and as such we support organisations that encompass similar ideals.
PRFC’s focus is the wellbeing and safety of children while providing parents with opportunities to care for and engage with their children. These visits allow parents to demonstrate relationship and parenting skills.
PRFC’s qualified staff closely monitor contact visits in a supportive and positive way. We understand each family has a unique story and we seek to bring clarity and resolution whilst facilitating a service that is both safe and enjoyable for children and parents.
Phoenix Rising For Children have experience and expertise working with children and families affected by difficult and stressful circumstances.
We provide:
- In excess of 17 years experience providing supervised
- contact services
- Immediate availability to accept family referrals
- Qualified, experienced professional family supervisors
- High level of confidentiality
- 24 hour/ 365 days per year support to clients and personnel
- Detailed, well written reports appropriate for court matters
The services we provide include; supervised family contact, supervised transportation, supervised handover, mentoring and youth work support. We also provide interim supervised contact, pre-requested contact visit meetings between children and supervisors, and detailed contact visit reports.
We are contactable in the following ways:
T: 02 9873 3992,
Write to us at PO Box 71, Oatlands 2117 or
Email: scheduler@phoenixrising.org.au
Learn more about our services at www.phoenixrising.org.au
Building strong family relationship; some more tips and tricks!
Building strong family relationships is easy if you concentrate on identifying strengths, focusing on them and appreciating them. A few more tips and tricks to build up family relationships are;
Show respect for each other. In your daily interactions, in the way you communicate with each other, and in the little things you do for each other. Make sure you show respect for what is being said, and also in the way you talk about your own feelings and needs.
Acknowledge and appreciate the differences between you. Not everyone gets along all the time, because we all have different personalities. A strong family that binds together doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone is the same, acts the same, or does the same things. It’s important to understand and appreciate the differences between us, because that’s what makes us each unique individuals. Value and respect each other’s unique qualities, needs, wants and talents.
Share common values. Some positive values that we can share with each other to promote strong family relationships in a positive way are; respect, care, compassion, empathy and responsibility. Having these values in common strengthens our relationships through a sense of belonging.
Phoenix Rising for Children
Phoenix Rising For Children (PRFC) are accredited by The Office of The Children’s Guardian, peak government body in NSW for child protection. PRFC was established in 2001 and are experienced in provision of specialist services to children and their families for Family & Community Services, Non Government Agencies, Family Law Court Matters and Private Family Agreements. PRFC operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment, and as such we support organisations that encompass similar ideals.
PRFC’s focus is the wellbeing and safety of children while providing parents with opportunities to care for and engage with their children. These visits allow parents to demonstrate relationship and parenting skills.
PRFC’s qualified staff closely monitor contact visits in a supportive and positive way. We understand each family has a unique story and we seek to bring clarity and resolution whilst facilitating a service that is both safe and enjoyable for children and parents.
Phoenix Rising For Children have experience and expertise working with children and families affected by difficult and stressful circumstances.
We provide:
- In excess of 17 years experience providing supervised
- contact services
- Immediate availability to accept family referrals
- Qualified, experienced professional family supervisors
- High level of confidentiality
- 24 hour/ 365 days per year support to clients and personnel
- Detailed, well written reports appropriate for court matters
The services we provide include; supervised family contact, supervised transportation, supervised handover, mentoring and youth work support. We also provide interim supervised contact, pre-requested contact visit meetings between children and supervisors, and detailed contact visit reports.
We are contactable in the following ways:
T: 02 9873 3992,
Write to us at PO Box 71, Oatlands 2117 or
Email: scheduler@phoenixrising.org.au
Learn more about our services at www.phoenixrising.org.au
Building strong family relationship; tips and tricks
Strong families breed strong communities and strong family relationships help children within them feel loved and secure. This also helps all family members feel connected to one another and improves the interactions and communication you will have with each other. You can easily build strong family relationships within your family by identifying strengths, focusing on them and appreciating them. A few other tips and tricks to build up family relationships are;
- Spending time with each other. Prioritise each family member’s well-being and make time for each other, showing care and warmth, and celebrating the little things. Ensure that work life stays separate to home life.
- Actively listen. Often, during conversations with each other, we listen purely to respond, rather than concentrating and understanding what is actually being said. Active listening involves listening with all the senses and listening to what others have to say with interest and enthusiasm.
- Acknowledging feelings. At times, we may not agree with how someone is feeling about a situation – we may think they are over reacting or being too sensitive. Though by acknowledging each others’ feelings, you can show that you care and accept their feelings even if you may not agree with them.
Phoenix Rising for Children
Phoenix Rising For Children (PRFC) are accredited by The Office of The Children’s Guardian, peak government body in NSW for child protection. PRFC was established in 2001 and are experienced in provision of specialist services to children and their families for Family & Community Services, Non Government Agencies, Family Law Court Matters and Private Family Agreements. PRFC operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment, and as such we support organisations that encompass similar ideals.
PRFC’s focus is the wellbeing and safety of children while providing parents with opportunities to care for and engage with their children. These visits allow parents to demonstrate relationship and parenting skills.
PRFC’s qualified staff closely monitor contact visits in a supportive and positive way. We understand each family has a unique story and we seek to bring clarity and resolution whilst facilitating a service that is both safe and enjoyable for children and parents.
Phoenix Rising For Children have experience and expertise working with children and families affected by difficult and stressful circumstances.
We provide:
- In excess of 17 years experience providing supervised
- contact services
- Immediate availability to accept family referrals
- Qualified, experienced professional family supervisors
- High level of confidentiality
- 24 hour/ 365 days per year support to clients and personnel
- Detailed, well written reports appropriate for court matters
The services we provide include; supervised family contact, supervised transportation, supervised handover, mentoring and youth work support. We also provide interim supervised contact, pre-requested contact visit meetings between children and supervisors, and detailed contact visit reports.
We are contactable in the following ways:
T: 02 9873 3992,
Write to us at PO Box 71, Oatlands 2117 or
Email: scheduler@phoenixrising.org.au
Learn more about our services at www.phoenixrising.org.au
Tips to help children cope through family separation
When parents separate, it is often the children who suffer the most. It is a stressful situation for everybody, but children may feel left out, isolated and alone in their pain. Some may be able to talk about their feelings openly, but others may demonstrate how they feel through their behaviours. They might become anxious and develop separation anxiety. They might become angry and create conflicts and disruptions in their friendships.
The first step to helping children through a separation is to ensure there is no conflict between the parents themselves – as this conflict and hostility makes things much more difficult for children. If there is conflict with the other parent, the best option is to seek mediation to resolve it so that it doesn’t affect the children. Children often react to your own response to a situation, so it’s also important to ensure you have support to help manage the stress of the situation. In this, you may need time to come to terms with feelings of grief and loss, support from family and friends, or professional counselling to deal with difficult feelings.
Some ways you can help children to cope through family separation are;
- Reassuring children they won’t lose your love and care
- Clearly explain what is happening, how things will change, where they will live, etc
- Maintain as many routines as possible
- Avoid criticising the other parent to children – they should not be involved in your disputes
- Acknowledge and encourage them when they are doing well with coping
Phoenix Rising for Children
Phoenix Rising For Children (PRFC) are accredited by The Office of The Children’s Guardian, peak government body in NSW for child protection. PRFC was established in 2001 and are experienced in provision of specialist services to children and their families for Family & Community Services, Non Government Agencies, Family Law Court Matters and Private Family Agreements. PRFC operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment, and as such we support organisations that encompass similar ideals.
PRFC’s focus is the wellbeing and safety of children while providing parents with opportunities to care for and engage with their children. These visits allow parents to demonstrate relationship and parenting skills.
PRFC’s qualified staff closely monitor contact visits in a supportive and positive way. We understand each family has a unique story and we seek to bring clarity and resolution whilst facilitating a service that is both safe and enjoyable for children and parents.
Phoenix Rising For Children have experience and expertise working with children and families affected by difficult and stressful circumstances.
We provide:
- In excess of 17 years experience providing supervised
- contact services
- Immediate availability to accept family referrals
- Qualified, experienced professional family supervisors
- High level of confidentiality
- 24 hour/ 365 days per year support to clients and personnel
- Detailed, well written reports appropriate for court matters
The services we provide include; supervised family contact, supervised transportation, supervised handover, mentoring and youth work support. We also provide interim supervised contact, pre-requested contact visit meetings between children and supervisors, and detailed contact visit reports.
We are contactable in the following ways:
T: 02 9873 3992,
Write to us at PO Box 71, Oatlands 2117 or
Email: scheduler@phoenixrising.org.au
Learn more about our services at www.phoenixrising.org.au
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