Coordinate with a Shared Family Calendar

Keeping a family calendar that everyone has is beyond important. By having a central place where everyone can see what's happening (and when!), you’ll ensure that no one feels left out or overwhelmed. Whether it's a digital calendar or a physical one on the wall, keeping everyone on the same page will make life a bit smoother.

Foster Connections with Empathy and Storytelling

If you want to keep the peace in the household, it’s important to encourage empathy and understanding. Encourage everyone — young and old alike — to share stories about the days and their lives. For example, grandparents can share the lessons they’ve learned throughout their lives, while parents and children can talk about their own experiences. These stories create a richer and deeper family dynamic where everyone feels respected.

Keep Rules and Agreements Relevant

Keep family rules updated so that they remain relevant and fair for all involved. As your household grows and changes, their needs will shift as well. It's important to adjust these rules to reflect these needs, which will help ensure that they keep everyone’s best interests at heart. Involving all family members in these discussions fosters a sense of fairness and collective responsibility, making it easier to maintain order and harmony.

Digitize Paper Records for Efficiency

Digitizing paper records is a great way to clean some paper clutter from your house. Mobile scanning apps, for example, allow for the easy storage and sharing of digital documents. And if you need to make edits to any of your scanned documents, optical character recognition (OCR) technology allows you to convert them into fully editable (and sharable) PDFs. Consider this option if you’re looking for a great tool to help you get things started.

Celebrate Milestones and Achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate each family member’s achievements and milestones. Whether it's a grandparent's birthday, a parent's work promotion, or a child's good grades, taking the time to celebrate these moments helps build those family bonds. Not only are these celebrations fun, but these celebrations also help you build a supportive family environment.

Encourage Mutual Assistance

Make sure everyone in your home is willing to lend a helping hand to other members of the family. Encourage everyone to help, whether it's with homework, household tasks, or personal projects, as it helps build a supportive environment. This approach also teaches the importance of cooperation and shared empathy. By working together as one tight unit, family members learn to appreciate each other's efforts and develop stronger relationships.

Designate Specific Zones for Activities

Set aside areas in your home that allow for communal interaction and individual downtime. Creating these comforting spaces where everyone can come together for meals, games, or just chit-chat is as important as having quiet areas for reading, working, or relaxing. Keeping these areas smartly “zoned” can help manage noise levels and provide everyone with the space they need to thrive.

Creating a relaxing and supportive multigenerational home requires hard work. However, by coordinating activities with a shared calendar, engaging in family projects, fostering empathy, keeping rules relevant, digitizing records, celebrating achievements, promoting mutual assistance, and designating specific zones for activities, you can build a balanced and happy household. Embracing the tips shared above ensures that each family member feels valued and supported, leading to a fulfilling and harmonious living environment.

Guest written by: 

Sarah Noel