International Day of Families is celebrated every year on May 5. This holiday was established by the UN General Assembly in 1993. Its purpose is to deepen the awareness of societies in all countries about the importance of the family and its problems in the modern world.
“International Day of Families is also a great opportunity to remember how important the family is and to thank your loved ones – children, parents, siblings, grandparents – for their presence. It is the family that is the circle, both socially and personally, it is in the family that children are raised and grow up, drawing from it the values, behavioral patterns and lifestyles they will follow in adulthood.
“This is also an ideal time to reflect on the condition of the family in today’s world and how to recognize and deal with its problems.
Especially today, we should all slow down a bit and think about how important our loved ones are to us. In the family lies the true strength of every person. Close, cordial relations with family and relatives are the basis for everyone to function well.”
Family is our closest community. Each of us is different – we have our own opinions, dreams, plans, personalities…. conflicts are inscribed in our common life. It is impossible to avoid them, so it is worth working to go through them wisely.
- accept conflict – the fact that it occurs is perfectly natural;
- aspirations should be aimed at resolving the conflict, not at someone else’s “victory.”
- actively listen – in conflict situations, most often each party wants to say something – now, immediately. To avoid shouting, exacerbating a difficult situation, misunderstanding – try active listening. While someone is talking, don’t think about what you yourself want to say. The idea is that you should try to really listen and understand what the other person is talking about, what they are feeling and what problems they have. You can ask supportive questions or ask for examples so you can understand each other even better.
- don’t accuse. Don’t say “…because YOU always…”. Try to formulate statements in the first person, e.g. instead of “you always forget everything” say “I wish you would remember to…”.
- Are there issues that worry you?
- Or maybe you would like to establish a better relationship with your child, but don’t know where to start?
- Don’t know how to get along with your household members?
Crisis Intervention Center in Lublin, 6A Probostwo Street: 81 466 55 46
24-hour helpline for people in crisis: 733 588 900
Helpline for children and adolescents (daily 14:00-22:00): 789 777 981
(Source: https://www.lomianki.pl/…/9036,15-maja-obchodzony-jest… accessed 05.05.2025;
https://rodzina.umk.pl/…/miedzynarodowy-dzien-rodzin accessed 05.05.2025)