Family is important. It takes commitment and hard work to improve family relationships. With all the negative influences around us, we struggle to keep our families together. But it is a battle well worth it.

Family should come first and foremost before anything else, even before our career. “No other success can compensate for failure in the home. The poorest hut in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than any other wealth.” -David O. McKay

I believe that love, communication and respect go a long way. I know five rules that can improve relationships and make a family more united.

1. Parents and children should “show” love by helping each other. Giving service and sharing is what it is all about.

2. Take time for each other by going out with your spouse or having family outings. It’s amazing what a picnic can do for a family.

3. Communicate with each other and take the time to listen. Richard L. Evans said, “If only we could feel like we’ve been heard! If only we could listen when we should!”

4. Show respect to each member of the family. Never ask for another person.

5. Pray together. Abraham Lincoln said, “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

Money, wealth and great careers should not come before family. Money will not buy your family’s love or happiness. Eugene Hansen said, “I learned that money and material possessions are not the keys to happiness and success. Even with the constant financial challenge, we still had a good life. There was love at home. Home was the place we wanted to be.” be”. . We had two very significant elements: we had a piano and we had a bookcase. How important those two somewhat simple possessions were in developing such important talents and productive interests in our early years.”

What our children need is love. Material objects will never replace affection or our absence. “We have been so eager to give our children what we didn’t have that we have refused to give them what we did have.” -Unknown author.

The relationship between husband and wife is also important. It should not be overlooked. Marriage is a sacred bond between man and woman. We must always work on our relationship. Never intentionally embarrass or hurt our spouse’s feelings. Build the self-esteem of the other. Treat your partner with respect. Children watch, listen, imitate and follow our steps. They learn fast. When we show disrespect to our partner, they will too.

We have to work on the marriage. It is a lifelong commitment. Mary Stewart Cutting said, “A woman can bear anything unless she is forgotten, not needed.”

Richard L. Evans said, “All things need to be watched, worked on, taken care of, and marriage is no exception. Marriage is not something to be treated with indifference or abused, or something that just takes care of itself. All things They need attention, care.” and concern, and especially in the most sensitive of all life’s relationships.

Everyone has to work on family relationships. Is not easy. It is something that needs a lot of work, but it is worth it. Thomas Jefferson said, “The happiest times of my life have been the few that I have spent at home with my family.”