Family: How You Can be Different, Yet Happy and Harmonious

Differences make each person unique, and diversity should be celebrated. Yet, differences are also often at the source of most conflicts. To avoid conflicts, you may find yourself avoiding those whom you feel think differently than you. This strategy isn’t always the best one and can be more of a challenge when it comes to family. Families can bring us joy and happiness; however, they can also bring a lot of stress. Conflicts can be bred by personality differences. You may not want to lose important relationships over differences, so it can be important to figure out how to resolve conflict effectively.

 

Opposites Can Attract

You may find yourself drawn to someone who is your opposite; in the psychological world this has been thought to be a way of satisfying an unfulfilled desire. However it can be very stressful to find yourself constantly battling the person you are married to. In many cases, disagreements may seem trivial, though the constant conflict can eventually take a toll on you, particularly when you have conflicting views on family matters. Before you know it, your disagreements may be far from trivial as you can begin to confront major family or marital concerns. These arguments can be upsetting and if left unresolved can lead to symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

 

Sibling Rivalries

Siblings share genes, though this does not guarantee that they will share characteristics, views and/or perceptions. Growing up together, they may be the most comfortable people to have around. Though the differences siblings can have may cause them to fight a lot, especially when they are younger. While these fights may seem petty, they can have a detrimental effect on you and your family. In certain cases, these sibling fights can become serious rivalries that may even carry into adulthood. Such rivalries can impact development of self-esteem, social skills and a variety of other developmental stages. As a parent, you likely want your children to work through this and bring peace back to your home.

 

Chronic Parent –Child Conflicts

It can be difficult for parents to keep up with what their children are experiencing, each generation faces unique challenges, and it can be hard to identify. This disconnect can create misunderstanding, oftentimes resulting in conflict. While there will always be generational differences there can also be a lot of understanding. There are certainly differences, however, there are also similarities. This may be difficult to do on your own, a trained family counselor can be helpful.

 

Different but Together

Personality differences can lead to familial conflicts. We cannot choose our family. Big personalities can lead to an even greater amount of conflict. If you are a parent, these conflicts can make your life difficult, oftentimes leading to distressing emotions and even possibly feelings of depression or anxiety. You may even feel at a loss, not knowing how to bring together your family members and resolve ongoing conflict.

Seek professional counseling with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC. Licensed, independently contracted therapists can help you and your family members handle personality differences and find resolution to ongoing conflict. With help from an expert, you can help your family live together in harmony despite your differences. Call today to schedule an appointment.

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