How do you fix a broken family?

@lacieice (2060)
United States
July 5, 2010 10:35am CST
In the last few months, there have been some incidents that have caused a lot of bad feelings within the family and then you hear "I'm never going there again", and "I'll never speak to them again", and so on and so on. I hate the way things are, but I'm not quite sure how to go about fixing it. Is it best to just leave it alone and hope for the best? Should we just pretend that nothing happened? Should we try to discuss what happened and work it out? What if we can't work it out? Should we just agree to disagree? What if apologies are extended but not accepted? Please help!!!!!
2 responses
• China
6 Jul 10
The family must be trusted and loved each other.
@lacieice (2060)
• United States
6 Jul 10
Thanks for your responce hjr I agree completely, but first we have to be able to communicate with each other and find out how to make it right.
• China
8 Jul 10
The fundamental thing: the family must be important.Good Wish to you.
• Malaysia
22 Jul 10
Actually there are only simple thing you can do. Apologize is the first and basic thing you can do. Fixing the problem is a two-way street. Even if you feel the other person acted worse or wronged you,you can start the process of repairing broken family ties by apologizing for your part in the fiasco. During holiday, gather your family members. Holidays are represented by family gatherings and gift giving. Families may forget one another all year long, but on a holiday, even an estranged love one will be thinking about you. Beat them to the phone and make the first call to help repair the break down. Besides that, listen to what your family members had said. There may be something that appears worse that it is. The only way to get over this hump is to listen. Actively listen and repeat back to the person what they are saying so they know you have understood them and truly listening. Although there will be many kinds of opinion and suggestion, listen them all, and try to choose the best among it. Listen to them will let them feel like you're respecting them.
@lacieice (2060)
• United States
23 Jul 10
With one problem, we have agreed to disagree, so I think that is a positive first step. With the other problem, with my son, I have apologized, even though he is as much at fault as me. He won't discuss it with me, but it's obvious he is angry...his every action shows it. So, I guess I'll just have to let him be and hope he decides to be a family again.