Characteristics of Healthy Families

Supportive & Communicative

• Free, open, easy, spontaneous communication and listening

• Promotion of intimacy and autonomy

• Empathy and expression of affection

• Affirm and support one another

• Develop a sense of trust

• Joy and comfort in relating (humor, warmth, optimism)

Parents as Leaders

• Strong marriage (shared power, intimacy and cooperation; devoted, not competitive

• Democratic parental power (balance of nurture and structure)

• Clear rules and expectations, consistently enforced

• Model behavior they expect from children

Take Responsibility

• Sense of shared responsibility

• Responsibility is paired with recognition

• Admit problems and seek solutions; problems are swept under the rug

• Develop a discipline of forgiveness and reconciliation

• Family members own their behavior and its consequences

Quality Time

• Family traditions

• Form connections to the community

• Eat meals together

• Share leisure time together

• Active lifestyle

• Playfulness, have fun, humor, laugh together

Values & Mutual Respect

• Emphasis on spiritual growth, peace, love, hope, shared religious core

• Teach respect for and service to others

• Teach a sense of right and wrong

• Respect privacy of one another

• Value differences among family members; each member is unique and valued

Adapted from Delores Curran’s ‘Traits of a Healthy Family’

*What would you add to the list?*What characteristics would you say are strengths in your family?*What characteristics would you like to improve in your family?

#parenting #families #familytherapy #therapist #counseling #counselor #therapy