Going through and coming out of difficult times together can bring a family closer than ever. While every marriage and family will have challenges, it’s important to remember that marriage counseling isn’t an attempt to fix something that’s broken—it’s a way to find out how you can help each other work as a team.
Here Are 3 Ways Marriage Counseling Can Hugely Benefit Your Whole Family.
1 - Reopen Lines of Communication
Disagreements can turn into resentments, and honest communication can become difficult over time. It’s important to address differences without being accusatory or aggressive. Marriage counseling can help improve your discussions by offering mediation or neutral ground where no one feels put on the spot.
Family counseling gives children the opportunity to speak openly about their feelings in a neutral environment. A family counselor may be able to help kids open up in ways their parents cannot. Any type of family counseling sets a great example for kids: discussing problems is how you solve them, and discussion should be conducted openly and respectfully.
2 - Rebuild Romance
The stresses of daily life and raising a family can become exhausting and overwhelming. A married couple may begin to feel like roommates instead of partners as they attempt to navigate these challenges. Children form ideas very early about relationships based on what they see from their parents. Help them form healthy ideas about love and relationships early in life by displaying a positive example.
Marriage counseling will help both partners talk openly about how they feel about each other, how those feelings have evolved over time, and what they would like to see happen in their relationship. Your children benefit greatly from seeing that their parents are very much in love, can work together as a team, and respect each other as equals.
3 - Reorient Hurtful Fights Into Productive Discussions
Couples fight about lots of things. The most common issue is money, but politics, religion, raising children, and relationships with extended family can all turn into arguments quickly. Without productive discussion, these disagreements can quickly turn into bitter resentments. Marriage counseling facilitates productive discussions and encourages each partner to consider things from the other’s perspective.
Family counseling includes children in what are often thought of as “adult” discussions, and parents may gain new perspectives from hearing their kids open up about issues at home.
Sources:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/7-reasons-to-seek-marriage-counseling/
http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/consumer_updates/children_and_divorce.aspx
http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/anxiety-news-33/parents-fighting-may-have-long-lasting-effect-on-kids-665722.html