Strengthening Family Bonds During the Holidays 

The holidays bring out all sorts of emotions, from warm fuzzy nostalgia to less-than-cozy reactions. We must also acknowledge that there are non-holiday-related emotional situations in families. Families are suffering from loss, divorce, health trials, or financial strain. Newly separated families may face feelings of loss, while blended families can struggle to navigate differing priorities and traditions. Families can foster unity and navigate difficult emotions during the holidays by acknowledging these challenges and creating new traditions. Wherever you find yourself on the emotional scale this season, this post is intended to inspire you to be intentional this year to make meaningful connections that can help strengthen family bonds during and beyond the holiday season.

The Importance of Family Bonds We don’t need to persuade you that family bonds are important. For students, strong family bonds contribute to emotional stability and improved mental health. For all families – single parent, two parent, separated, blended – strengthening these bonds is crucial for providing a sense of belonging and stability during the holidays. Studies published by the Journal of Marriage and Family show strong family bonds play a crucial role in emotional well-being, particularly during the holidays. Research shows that families with higher cohesion—where members feel a strong sense of connection—experience greater emotional stability, especially for fathers and adolescents. Interestingly, fathers tend to feel happiest when spending time with family, while adolescents who are satisfied with their family relationships often benefit from having personal space. This highlights the importance of balancing togetherness and individual needs within families, especially in blended or broken families where navigating time and connection can be more complex. By fostering these bonds, families can create a more supportive and emotionally resilient environment during the holiday season. 

Building Intentional Connections

• Prioritize quality time over quantity time. Quality interactions are more impactful; meaningful interactions lead to closer relationships and emotional security. These can be simple activities like cooking, playing games, or taking walks together. This is also true for blended families; prioritizing quality time over trying to divide time evenly across households can help reduce stress.
• Engage in traditions. Traditions are powerful and long-lasting in our memories. They create continuity and a sense of belonging, especially important for children in blended families. There is no right or wrong. Families can maintain old traditions or introduce new ones that are inclusive and promote togetherness. Family rituals improve children’s emotional stability and development. Examples of traditions might include decorating, volunteering together, or creating personalized family traditions like sharing stories or doing acts of kindness.
• Focus on communication. Maybe the holiday from the school routine creates time for meaningful conversations and can help family members feel heard and understood. Open communication fosters emotional security, especially in families with complex dynamics. Encouraging children in blended families to express their feelings openly helps build trust and emotional security.
• Practice gratitude together. Recent Research suggests that gratitude practices, when varied and consistent, can help build lasting emotional well-being. The Catalyst Model of Change shows that when families regularly express and receive gratitude, it strengthens relationships, encourages positive behaviors, and reduces stress. Families who integrate gratitude into their daily routines—such as sharing what they are thankful for—are more likely to feel connected and supported long-term. Gratitude strengthens family bonds by fostering appreciation and emotional closeness. Families can incorporate gratitude practices into daily routines, such as sharing what they are thankful for during meals or keeping a family gratitude journal.
• Unplug and be present. Easier said than done, but no one ever regrets limiting distractions like phones or social media encourages genuine connection during family time. For blended families, being fully present can help children feel more valued and included in the family unit. Designating technology-free time during family gatherings can foster deeper interactions and shared experiences. It’s worth it.

No matter your family dynamics, these intentional bonding efforts can help nurture a supportive and resilient environment where everyone feels valued. From all of us at The Lincoln Center, we wish you a joyful and connected holiday season.

About TLC

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.