Individual isolation

We can recognize dysfunctional family by noting that parents and children no longer turn to each other for support, encouragement, guidance, or even love. Such family members may continue to live in same house—but not feel emotionally attached to each other. They fail to view their family as a warm place to retreat to from stresses and demands of outside world.

Stress-Guard your family

Tip #1- Teach your children “resiliency” —the ability to handle stress and respond more positively to difficult events. Help your children practice “bouncing back” by emphasizing importance of having friends and being a friend; setting new goals and plans to reach them, and believing in themselves.

Tip #2– Commit to stable family rituals.

Have a way to leave each other in morning, and to re-connect in evening; have a Sunday morning ritual or a Friday night family pizza ritual. Rituals create a sense of security and predictability —both excellent stress buffers.

Tip #3- Model and teach your children conflict resolution skills.

Children learn how to handle conflict by watching their parents. All couples have conflicts; better parents model good conflict resolution skills for their children. These skills include compromise, calm discussion, and focus on problem-solving. Encourage your children to find a way to resolve their own conflicts rather than jumping in and punishing one or other child whom you think (perhaps, wrongly) is troublemaker.

Tip #4– Introduce a family “better health” plan.

This includes proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep each night. The family may also want to look at time management—and explore how how better time management might reduce both personal and family stress.

Tip #5- Minimize criticism and take time to support each other each day.

Excessive criticism is extremely harmful to both children and parents. Emotional support by family members is an extremely important buffer to family stress.

Option 2: Get them physically active.

Your couch potato can still watch TV while they exercise. Our favorite gift idea in this category is a portable mini cycle that you can use while still sitting on couch (or at a desk, etc.). Best of both worlds! Similar to that (but not quite as "convenient") is a stair climber or side stepper. But they have to actually get off couch for that.

Option 3: Get them out of house.

This is, basically, contradictory to all that is dear to your couch potato. But it could be best thing for them! Try getting them golf lessons, cooking classes, a tent and sleeping bag, or a weekend getaway. They might just like it!