8 Common Family Issues and How to Solve Them

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8 Common Family Issues and How to Solve Them

Leo Tolstoy observed that “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” However, it seems he was not quite right. Although each family has its own individual hang-ups, there are common issues that many families face. It may feel like our types of family situations are unique, but in most cases, millions of families around the world are dealing with the same problems. 

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8 Common Family Issues and How to Solve Them

While they may seem overwhelming to solve, with enough knowledge and dedication, all the problems in this article and more can be worked through.

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Distance

Distance, because of work or other reasons, can be a strain on an otherwise healthy relationship. And if you have kids, it can be challenging to be away from them for an extended period of time, especially if you have to travel often. If you cannot change the frequency or length of your time away, there are other things you can do to decrease the distance 

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Distance

between you and your family. For example, you can do a nightly video chat, play online games together, or sync up movies to watch together.  In the digital age, there are many solutions to make distance easier to manage.

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Distance

Problems with distance arise not only from having too much distance, but also from not having enough distance. The media perpetuates the myth that if two people love each other, they can happily spend every minute of their time together. While this fantasy might play out well in the first months of dating, any serious relationship needs space. This problem is not limited to time spent with your significant other.

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Distance

Parents, especially stay-at-home parents, can also feel cooped up after too much time with their kids. The solution? Get out of the house, or carve out some alone time. Try to involve yourself in fun and exciting hobbies and passions that you can do on your own.

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A Cluttered Schedule

As a parent, it may seem as if you have no time. Your schedule may be cluttered with work, chores, and your children’s events, leaving little time for the things you want to do. One solution is to use a calendar or daily schedule system. This way you can prioritize what matters most. You can also try to make an agreement with neighbors or friends to watch 

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A Cluttered Schedule

each other’s kids once a week; this is a win-win situation where all involved get a weekly date night.

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Arguments and Fights

Disagreements are normal. After all, we all have our own opinions. However, when healthy communication falters and discussions increasingly become arguments, a solution must be found. Whether with your spouse or your children, arguments can seriously raise tensions in the family. Depending on the severity of the disagreement, they can even permanently damage relationships.

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Arguments and Fights

Therefore, it is critical to handle arguments with care, not allowing heightened emotions to get the better of you. Instead, focus on the problem at hand, and ask yourself: “Why does this person believe what they believe?” If you can find a way to understand the other person, you can create a foundation to build upon.

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Arguments and Fights

If the argument has turned into a fight and anyone is feeling overwhelmed, call a time-out and return to the conversation later. Arguments don’t have to be a bad thing—they are natural after all. And they can be perfectly manageable if everyone tries their hardest to be respectful and come to some sort of consensus.

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Disagreements On Parenting

If you have been a parent for more than one day, you will most likely have disagreed with your partner on some aspect of parenting. Disagreements on parenting styles are bound to happen, and they are an unavoidable part of having a family. But like any argument, disagreements on parenting can be aided by a calm and reasonable approach.

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Disagreements On Parenting

To handle disputes on parenting, more than in most other areas of disagreement, it is vital that you and your partner learn to compromise. Your child should be raised with both of your values in mind, not by values held by only one parent.

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Work-Life Balance

Work is a high priority in the lives of many parents, as it is for most adults. The tension between needing to provide financially for one’s family and wanting to be there for them physically and emotionally can result in an uneven work-life balance.

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Work-Life Balance

A few solutions are to leave work at work and focus on your family when you are at home; make sure to set time aside for the things that matter most to you and your family; delegate tasks to others to save you time; and do not forget about “you time.” With a more balanced work-life schedule, you can finally have the time to better focus on your family.

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Money Problems

A significant stressor in many family’s lives, financial troubles can add significant tension to any household. Money problems can be dealt within various ways, including a change in the way we look at money and material possessions. In some situations, families may benefit from setting a budget and making money management a priority.

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Money Problems

A few general tips for better money management are to create a zero-based budget, cut out unnecessary purchases, and to keep at least few months’ expenses in a liquid form of savings. In terms of changing your perspective on money, it is helpful to look at money as a means to get the goods and services you want, not as an end in and of itself.

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Money Problems

As the things you accumulate may not provide as much happiness as you think, one way to make some quick cash and free up your space as well is to sell unnecessary belongings your family has accumulated. Financial problems can test relationships, but if you are open to creative problem solving together, you will get through them.

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Unfaithfulness

Infidelity is, unfortunately, one of the main reasons for divorce. It is a challenging problem to solve within a marriage, let alone a family. When a partner cheats, you may wonder how a marriage can be put back together, or if it is worth it to continue.

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Unfaithfulness

Prevention is the best solution to unfaithfulness, meaning that both partners commit to and nurture the relationship sufficiently. Once infidelity has occurred, however, it is generally wise to get professional support in the form of couples counseling. 

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Unfaithfulness

The BetterHelp platform has resources for dealing with unfaithfulness, as well as licensed therapists who can help both partners process their feelings about the situation and make good decisions about how to move forward.

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Difficult Children

From the toddlers going through their “terrible twos” to the trying nature of teens, raising children can be challenging, and at times you may feel your last nerve has been tried. Just know that while you cannot control your children’s every action, you can control how you teach them to deal with decisions and behaviors.

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Difficult Children

You can set a positive example with how you choose to react to your own frustrations. With younger children, who may display volatile emotional states and tantrums, a good balance of patience and firmness are key. For more detailed suggestions, there are many resources in our advice column for dealing with small children.

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Difficult Children

When it comes to older kids, acting out may mean they just want to be heard. So, rather than moving straight to punishment, try to listen to what your adolescent has to say. This can be difficult, especially when you know your child is not using their best judgment. 

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Difficult Children

But the best way for a child to learn is through thinking through important decisions with a mature adult. And you never know: you just might learn something from them as well.

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