Family relationships are usually a fairly complex topic. Beyond the typical discussions generated by cohabitation or rebellious adolescence, many parents face a real challenge when they seek to strengthen the bond with their children. However, The answer would be much closer than it seemsas recent studies carried out by psychologists have shown.
Many tend to think that to have a good relationship between father, mother and children it is necessary to spend a large amount of time together. Something that, although it has part of the truth, the truth is that it gives a greater importance to the quantity of time over the quality. Precisely, in this distinction is the formula to strengthen the bond between family members.
There is no point in spending thousands of euros on a family vacation if the time spent together is dedicated to individual activities and without relating to each other. Well, although coexistence is key, more so are those small habits and traditions that are generated in it. That is, family rituals, as they are called in a study presented in the “Journal of Family Theory & Review” in November 2025.
Family rituals generate a feeling of security and belonging
In this article, prepared by the researcher at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Lisbon, Carla Crespo, these rituals are presented as small universal and spontaneous gestures that occur in all families. These, as revealed by the results of the study, have great benefits both individually and within the family nucleus itselfas it strengthens your ties and creates the certainty of having a support network.
These small gestures can be quite simple. However, its importance is not in the greatness or the amount of time, but in that creating a habit and that feeling of security. For this reason, researchers point out that practices such as a fixed meal every week or the same phrase before going to sleep are more effective in reinforcing a bond than spending downtime without relating.
However, this is not the only research that provides this idea of the importance of family routines to create a strong and safe nucleus for its members. Other organizations such as the one launched by the Australian government, Raising Children Network, or the one developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, also have demonstrated the benefits of this type of rituals for the little ones.
It will improve trust between parents and children
According to the Australian organization, these types of family rituals generate a feeling of security, belonging and care. Something especially important when going through a complex situation such as, in the case of the little ones, puberty or the arrival of a sibling. To this end, some of the most recommended practices are reading a story before bed or try to match meal times.
These gestures will not only generate a greater feeling of comfort in both parents and children, but they will also will reinforce that confidence. Well, the little ones will begin to see their parents as a present figure, both in their good times and in the bad, to whom they can trust their fears, worries or, simply, news of a life that has just begun.
It is also advisable to create small habits and routines that entail the responsibility of the little ones. Although they may be reluctant at first, in the long run it will improve their independence and help them develop skills that will be useful throughout their lives. Something that will not only bring benefits to the little ones, but also to the parents, as it will reduce the parental exhaustion that many tend to suffer from the numerous responsibilities that a family unit entails.