Families Who Stay Close Across Generations Practice These 12 Timeless Habits

Are you even family if you’re not getting into fights and eventually making up by the evening? While we’ve all got our fair share of family drama, the thing that truly makes a family is being able to stay close across generations, which ironically doesn’t happen too much because of the generational gap. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Here are some ways you can stay close across generations.

Prioritizing Regular Gatherings

While we understand meeting regularly might not be in everyone’s cards, this doesn’t mean you can’t prioritize gatherings whenever possible. Most of us only fly out to meet family during holidays, so we don’t really plan any meetups beyond the major family dinners. Going out of your way to arrange a meetup, whether stopping by at your older relative’s house or inviting them for coffee, makes them feel appreciated and strengthens your bond.

Practicing Open Communication

Misunderstandings are common when one is unable to communicate openly. Open channels of communication not only encourage bonding through frequent updates but also help one navigate potentially disastrous misunderstandings. Practicing open communication by explaining one’s absence, being honest about one’s actions, and discussing one’s feelings makes it much easier to bond.

Showing Respect For Each Other’s Choices

One of the biggest reasons different generations fail to connect is because of the differences in lifestyle and choices. If your elder/younger relatives are pursuing a lifestyle that you wouldn’t choose for yourself but aren’t actively harming you or others, then you’ve got to put the differences aside and show respect. Sure, it’s a little challenging, but it works well enough to help families bond across generations.

Celebrating Achievements Together

Celebrating achievements and milestones together has always been a way to stay close. But you don’t have to be in the same house or town to celebrate achievements; you can celebrate milestones by congratulating each other on the phone, social media, or even posting. The extra effort you make for your family’s celebration bridges gaps and brings you closer.

Spending Time Without Technology

Alright, we know how this sounds, but hear us out: sometimes, ditching your screens and focusing on what’s in front of you really is the way to bond. Bonding and staying close across generations is often challenging because most of us are glued to our phones and miss out on live cues to bond. Without screens barring our bonding, we’ll have a much easier time reconnecting and making memories.

Encouraging Intergenerational Friendships

Many families have an unspoken rule about keeping children out of mature discussions. While appropriate, this rule often stays well established into adulthood, leading to frustration and a generational gap because you’re indirectly discouraging intergenerational friendship. To strengthen your bond, involve younger adults in the conversation, take their opinions, and encourage intergenerational friendships.

Supporting Each Other’s Goals

We all have family members who seem out to get us. Feeling unappreciated and unsupported is a heart-breaking barrier that prevents most people from opening up to their families. You might not agree with your family members’ lifestyles and goals, but you should still offer unconditional support to bridge the gap and promote bonding.

Avoiding Gossip About Each Other

We expect strangers to backbite, but nothing is more heart-breaking than finding out your family gossips behind your back. Backbiting and gossip break someone’s trust and contribute to a negative reputation that might isolate them from the rest of their family. It’s best if you avoid gossiping about each other and encourage other gossipers to do the same.

Staying Involved In Each Other’s Lives

Staying close across generations is all about going the extra mile to stay involved. You don’t have to fly out frequently to stay close; catching up on the phone once in a while and asking for and sharing updates is a great way to stay involved. It might seem like a bit of a hassle, but trust us, when you know you’ve got an intergenerational friend, you’ll realize how precious all that effort really is.

Being Willing To Compromise

We can’t all get what we want, so it’s best to meet in the middle, especially when it comes to family. If you and your family frequently clash because of conflicting schedules, choices, lifestyles, and preferences, you must pick your battles and compromise where possible. Encouraging compromises from the other side is also healthy, so you’re not the only one bending the rules.

Offering Unconditional Support During Hard Times

Being there for each other through thick and thin is a tell-tale sign of a healthy family. You might not be able to be there physically, but offering unconditional support by extending help financially or emotionally during trying times like unemployment, debt, loss of a beloved, disease, and similar tragedies brings you closer and deepens your bond.

Creating Shared Traditions

Lastly, if you’re ever looking for a way to bridge the gap and connect to cross-generational family members, create shared traditions. Shared traditions are unique because they aren’t exclusive like passed-down generations and allow you to pass on the candle to the next generation. It’s also fun doing something your grandparents and you can do without erupting into arguments.

More For You

There are plenty of important lessons we don’t always learn from our parents, even if they tried their best. From managing money to setting boundaries or understanding relationships, some things just get skipped over. These are the life skills we often have to figure out as we go. Here are some of the things your parents probably didn’t teach you.

This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.