Making Your Family More Resilient
Posted: Oct. 25, 2005
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Laurie Kramer is a U of I professor of applied family studies. She says that it's possible for families to develop the traits they need to get through times when they are facing changes and challenges. She refers to it as ways to build resiliency into your family.
Kramer recommends that families make time to talk more and listen more, even when life gets hectic. And when a big problem does come up, Kramer says to approach it as solveable.
Maintaining a strong relationship with your spouse or partner is the backbone of the family and in single-parent families it's especially important to build a strong support system of friends and family.
Kramers says it's also important to develop a network of professional support for family life because sometimes you just need an expert's opinion.
Finally, Kramer says that when it comes to families, conflict is inevitable. When there is conflict, fight fair and control your anger. As often as you can, cultivate optimism because thinking positively may be the true source of family resiliency.