Dr. Tiffany Ofili Porter

For the Christmas break, my family and I traveled from Kansas City to Michigan to New Jersey and back to Kansas City over the span of 8 days. And if that travel sounds like a lot, that’s because it was.

But so worth it! Even if I’m still recovering 5 days later.

Although in hindsight, Jeff and I said we probably won’t pull that extensive travel off again until the kids are a little older, I’m happy that we were able to spend quality time with both sides of our families.

Being present and soaking in the family time got me thinking about the importance of family, and how crucial it is that we carve out time for our loved ones. I’ve discussed the importance of Nurturing Adult Friendships in the past, but I’d like to specifically touch upon pouring into family.

Here are some of the benefits of spending time with family (as well as friends that have become family):

1) It contributes to overall well-being

Spending time with family fosters emotional bonds and promotes a sense of belonging. It’s nice to be in the presence of people who get you and who you can let your guard down with. When we are out in the world, we often have to filter ourselves to varying degrees, so it’s refreshing to be able to be your true authentic self around family. It’s a blessing to be around people who love you for who you are, are honest with you, and will support you along the way.

Having this love and support from family contributes to your happiness and ultimately, your well being.

2) It builds trust

Relationships, even those with your family, take intentionality and effort to thrive. Although it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that family relationships take less effort than friendships, I’d encourage you fight the urge.

Just because it’s believed that family will always be there no matter what you do or how you act, I would caution against taking them for granted.

Your family deserves the best of you and the same effort (if not more) that you give to your friendships and/or romantic relationships. Going the extra mile for your siblings, parents, cousins, etc. will build trust and create lasting memories that contribute to a supportive and healthy family dynamic.

Quality family time is crucial for strengthening those relationships and fostering communication. Both of which build trust and can contribute to a rewarding family bond.

3) It offers companionship

I’ve said before that siblings are like the built-in best friends you never knew you needed. Now I get that family relationships can be tricky, and not everyone has the most pleasant experiences with theirs. And if that’s the case for you, I’m sending love, and I hope that things improve for you.

But I also do believe that being intentional about nurturing family ties usually won’t be in vain.

In addition, spending time with older parents is essential for emotional connection, offering them companionship, and ensuring their well-being. Life is short and having the opportunity to spend time with parents is a blessing that we shouldn’t take for granted.

4) It shows your gratitude

Carving out designated family time also provides an opportunity to show how grateful you are to your parents for their past support and sacrifices. It honors their efforts and will make space to create positive memories.

Becoming a mom and witnessing firsthand how much sacrifice goes into being a good parent has made me appreciate my parents so much more than before.

Parenthood, especially in the early days, can feel like a thankless job, so now that I’m older and have the opportunity to show how grateful I am to my parents for everything they’ve done, I will do so. I plan to give them their flowers while they’re still here every chance I get.

This time around, it looked like making the family trip home for the holidays even though we had already been in Michigan in October and November. And I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Spending quality time with family not only reinforces bonds but it also promotes open communication. Family time can also cultivate a sense of unity and can contribute to your overall sense of well-being.

Here’s to being intentional about nurturing those family relationships more in 2024. You’ll be happy that you did!

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