Family plays an important role in our life. Besides providing the physical and emotional comfort during difficult times, family members also give us a safe environment to share our thoughts, feelings and achievements as we journey through life.

As a young couple juggling multiple roles as employees, spouses, and parents, you may find it challenging to focus on your family life. However, it is worthwhile to put in time and effort to nurture positive relationship with your spouse and to inculcate the value of family togetherness in your children.

Here are some ways for you to build positive relationships with your spouse and young children:

Spend more time together

• Go on dates with your spouse. It is important to spend some time alone with your spouse without your children. Remember that a loving and strong marriage is the foundation for your children's family life.
• Have a romantic getaway at least once a year. Romance makes the marriage stronger.
• If you have children, have separate dates with each of them so you get to know them better as individuals. And on a date, avoid talking about school or scolding them. Choose activities that your child enjoys.
  

Take up hobbies together

• Find out the common interests that you and your spouse have and do them together.
• Ask your children what are some hobbies that they would like to have and support them to develop their interest in those hobbies.
• Give your children their choice and allow them to make simple decisions. This will give them more confidence in themselves.
  

Learn something new together

• Participate in a personal development course together with your spouse, so that you can re-discover and develop as better individuals.
• If you have children, attend parenting workshops together so you share similar principles and techniques. This will prevent arguments over which parenting style is better.
• Be cool and learn something new with your children! Allow them to excel in their favourite sport or game. Bond with your children, by having more fun with them in the activities that they do rather than pushing them to win.