Family Life and Unity Are Worth Fighting For

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “nothing worth having comes easy”. Nothing can be truer when it comes to family life. 

The family is the cradle of humanity, and what we experience there can have an immense impact on our social, mental, and spiritual development. For this reason, family life is an asset to society that is worth supporting, protecting, and promoting. 

However, making this happen is not easy. Raising children to become well-adjusted, emotionally stable, and God-loving adults is a goal that parents want to achieve. The beauty of family life is fully expressed when there is an atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, and a strong sense of belonging. 

I was blessed to have experienced the beauty of family life growing up. I was fortunate to witness first-hand my parents’ efforts at building our family unity, which made it easier for me to continue their example with my own family. Time-tested traditions that brought us together on a regular basis were key. 

1. Dinner time is sacred

We always had dinner together, allowing us all to go around the table to “check in” and share something about our day. Everyone had a chance to speak, no matter how minor our comments were. These moments provided a haven of unconditional love and emotional security. 

2. Weekly family worship on Sundays with added quality time

Making it a priority to worship as a family every Sunday was not easy but is an essential aspect of building a Christ-centered family. Giving God his due on Sunday taught our children the virtues of obedience (remember the 4th commandment), gratitude, humility, and respect. Virtues build character and develop a well-defined moral compass. After Mass, as a treat, we would go out for breakfast so that everyone (including Mom!) got to relax and have a delicious meal. Sunday was a time of togetherness, and quality time as a family.

3. Host events for extended family and friends

   
   

While the effort to host large gatherings is not easy, connecting with extended family and friends can bring joyous celebrations and happy bonding times that make the effort worthwhile. To this day our grown children relish the big Christmas party at their aunt’s home where they see all their cousins and reconnect with friends and family. It is a beautiful testament to the immense value of family unity. 

4. All family members serve

The beauty of family life flourishes when self-giving is lived out by everyone in the family. Working in unison to promote family welfare is what binds families together.  The home is a family project where everyone pitches in to take care of the household chores, siblings help each other with homework, and a spirit of service becomes the family culture. 

Parents who dedicate themselves to raising children to be respectful, grateful, and generous bestow on them the tools that are likely to inspire them to become successful, mature adults. While acknowledging the serious influence of today’s social media distractions, parents with resolve and purpose can succeed in raising the family they aim for. Society goes by way of the family. Happy families produce happy people. Our society yearns for more happiness. 

Fostering goodness in our children, living by the tenets of Truth, and celebrating the beauty of family unity is not a complicated formula, but its implementation IS a challenge worth fighting for.  

Nora Urrea,

Vice President of the International Federation for Family Development, Family Advocacy division and President of Family Perspective Institute.