Rawhide Boys Ranch helps troubled youth and families turn their lives around. Our residential care program provides a safe, family-centered environment for at-risk youth who may not have experienced that prior to Rawhide. Our goal is to provide stability and cultivate familial-type bonding to help they grow and heal.

Why not practice these 15 tips for maintaining or strengthening your family ties?

1. Regularly Eat Dinners Together

“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”- Acts 2:46

Regularly eating meals together encourages daily communication and brings the family together physically. Families that eat together can discuss their day, share upcoming events, tell jokes, and voice concerns. Family dinners also encourage children to try new foods. If dinners won’t do, consider breakfasts.

2. Plan Activities Together

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”- Ecclesiastes 4:9

Between practices, recitals, sporting events, meetings, and other activities, finding quality family time can be difficult, but try at least once a week. Here are some fun activity ideas:

Building fun memories is an important aspect for strengthening family bonds.

3. Turn Chores into Fun Family Time

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”- Philippians 4:13

How often have you reminded family members about chores? Chores can be a burden and drain when performed individually, but tackling chores together can create unity. Not only are chores done faster, but they can be fun. Consider these game ideas:

  • Dress up
  • Create a Theme
  • Make it a Race
  • Shoot Hoops

4. Volunteer Together

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”- Mark 10:45

Volunteering can unite the family while giving back to others. Besides serving people in the community, volunteering can give all members a sense of appreciation towards what they have.

5. Write Notes to Each Other

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”- Proverbs 3:3

Notes are a nice surprise for anyone. Hide notes in your children’s lunches or your spouse’s vehicle. Hiding notes is a great way to express love towards family members and provide pick-me-ups throughout the day.

6. Laugh Together

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.”- Psalm 126:2

Laughing produces a general sense of well-being and restores a positive emotional climate. According to neuroscientist Robert Provine, Ph.D, laughter establishes a sense of connection between people. Laughing together creates a light-hearted atmosphere, and make sure everyone is laughing with each other not at each other. Remember, laughter is contagious!

7. Develop Healthy Communication Styles

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”- Proverbs 25:11

Learning how to communicate is equally important. When communicating, remember:

  • Listen without judgment
  • Pay full attention to each other
  • Make ‘I’ statements instead of ‘you’ accusations
  • Watch nonverbal signs such as folded arms, lack of eye contact, tone

Better communication creates more trust within the family, helping all family members better understand other family members.

8. Learn From Our Mistakes

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:9

People make mistakes. Good communication may uncover faulty assumptions or thinking behind the action. Learning from mistakes helps everyone grow.

9. Forgive Each Other

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”- Matthew 6:14

If the situation is stressful, calm yourself to fairly access the situation. Once you’re calm, communicate by focusing on the issue, not a person’s character. If your position is explained to the person in a calm fashion so that they still feel loved, they are less likely to hide mistakes and more likely to feel safe opening up about problems.

10. Be Just

“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”- Proverbs 31:9

If a punishment is deemed necessary, make sure it’s just. If a similar incident happened with a sibling, make sure the punishments given fit the infraction, ensuring nobody is viewed as the “favorite.” If another family member feels a situation is unfair, sit down and communicate. This creates an understanding and promotes equality while preventing resentment.

11. Create a Family Mission Statement

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”- Proverbs 1:8-9

Much like Rawhide’s mission statement, a family mission statement can provide motivation and bring your family closer and create pride. If a family mission statement sounds like a good idea, author Stephen Covey offers some strategies: “A family mission statement is a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about-what it is you really want to do and be-and the principles you choose to govern your family life.”

12. Develop Stronger Family Spiritual Wellness

“And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.”- 1 John 3:22

Participating in church activities creates a spiritual connection. Reading religious materials and attending family devotionals can inspire other family member’s faith and create deep, spiritual discussions.

13. Connect With Children at a Young Age

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”- Proverbs 22:6

Younger family members may feel overshadowed by older siblings. Pay attention to all family members, and don’t wait to take an interest until children are older. Spending time doing what younger family members are interested in creates a steady groundwork that lets your younger children know they aren’t invisible.

14. Express Sincere Appreciation

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”- John 13:34

Everyone likes to be appreciated, and family members are no exception. We often mistakenly assume that family knows we appreciate them; however, most people still like to hear it especially from loved ones. Appreciation can also be used as positive reinforcement. Instead of reminding family members the tasks they must complete, simply thank them for everything they do. Knowing they’re appreciated creates added happiness.

15. Commit to Strengthening Family

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”- Philippians 4:6

Commitment with love is the glue that holds a family together. Take time to do what other family members would like or commit time to finding the right methods that will create a stronger bond.