Successful families

Prospective successful families must have a destination in mind. We must decide what we want our family to be in the future. In other words, we need to work out a mission statement for our family. This mission statement should be arrived at with the consensus of members of the family, as this gives everyone the sense of ownership.

Secondly, to embark on this venture of successful family, it is imperative to build a “we” culture in the family. This would counter the individualism that is crippling family life nowadays. Instead of our natural inclination towards independence, we need to work towards inter-dependence. There is also the need to have regular family devotion and fellowship time. This is where the family talks about God and prays together, as well as to discuss family matters. This must also be supplemented by individual one-on-one parent and child bonding time.

Thirdly, is to work out a strategy together to guide the family to reach its intended destination. The family would then have a sense of direction and the will to overcome the rough terrains and storms of family life. Notwithstanding that there are always the unexpected obstacles, the family needs to be resilient and rise up to new challenges. This requires the shifting of paradigms and the learning of new life skills.

Fourthly, there is the need to set ground rules for fair practices. Among these rules, the most important is that of mutual respect). Regardless of whether one is the father or the eldest in the family, one must demonstrate mutual respect towards other members of the family. The parents, especially the fathers, have to be exemplary in respecting others so that the children can follow likewise. Mutual respect also requires one to display humility and have a “let us learn together” attitude. Family members must readily forgive one another whatever or whenever a wrong is committed).

Fifthly, achieving some measure of success. Complacency has ruined all great empires in the history of mankind. Similarly, patience is needed, as success often does not come by quickly. As with other great achievements, success only comes after much perseverance; those who have succeeded had been tenacious in their undertakings.