14 Ways to Create a Joyful Family

Discover the power of a joyful family! Join us as we explore 14 tried-and-tested ways to create a joyful family. From fostering a positive environment to embracing gratitude, let’s pave the way for happier and more fulfilling family experiences.

I didn’t realize what a miracle it is to have joyful children until we adopted two little children who didn’t know what joy was. When Buddy (two) and Sissy (five) came to live with us, they’d been in foster care for over two years. They had a lot of anger, and I missed our joyful family.

Buddy and Sissy had been moved from home to home. Some of their experiences were positive. Others were not. During the first few months, we saw a lot of tears, a lot of tantrums, and very erratic behavior.

Thankfully through wonderful therapy, many prayers, and a joyful family, they, too, found joy. I asked some friends for tips on creating a joyful family and added a few of my own. Here are fourteen ways to teach your child joy.

1. Model joy. Emphasize service to others as joy-building activities. —Gina
2. Show him or her how much he or she is loved. Every day. —Karen B
3. Be a joyful parent. —Beki
4. Treat those around you how you want your child to be treated and how you want your child to treat others. —Kristil
5. The key to joy is contentment. Teach your child to be grateful and content; joy will come as an extension. “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy …” —Dayna
6. Model how to trust God and rejoice… in all circumstances. And make every day FUN! —Karen P
7. Be joyful in the really ugly moments of life yourself so you can come out victorious and give God the glory. —Traci
8. Find wonder in the everyday world around you and teach them about God. Being happy may be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord is our strength. —Jenny
9. Celebrate their uniqueness. —Lisa
10. Love them and love your spouse. —Ronica

I love those tips! Here are four more ways to create joy—tips from the Goyer home:

1. For our kids, joy came with stability. They knew that we were steadfast in our love and care for them.
2. We also didn’t make a big deal from little issues: Spilt milk? No problem. Loud voices? We can deal with it. As we remained controlled and steady, our kids found joy in realizing that their little mistakes weren’t big deals and wouldn’t receive severe punishment.
3. We praised more than we punished. When we caught our children being joyful and kind, we’d exclaim over their attitude and deeds. They loved getting praise and wanted it repeated.
4. Finally, we turned all our anxiousness and fear to God. When we give Him our care, we leave more room for joy!

Creating a joyful family is a process that requires time, patience, and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. By adopting some of these tips and making them part of our daily lives, we can foster a positive environment where joy thrives. Our children can learn the skills and habits that will help them navigate life’s challenges with a positive attitude. Remember, joy is not a fleeting emotion but a state of mind that can be cultivated and nurtured over time. Let’s commit to creating and prioritizing a joyful family in our lives.

Takeaway

1. A joyful family takes time, patience, and effort, but the rewards are priceless!”
2. Joy isn’t just an emotion, it’s a state of mind.
3. From patience to positivity, you can learn the habits that create a joyful family and make your home happier!

Love thrilling fiction? My book The Swiss Courier (that I co-wrote with Mike Yorkey) is for you! 

If you’d rather read non-fiction, my book Balanced is available on Amazon.