The bond of a family is one of the greatest gifts you’ll ever have I your life. But as families grow and change over the years, it can be challenging to keep a close bond with those you love. You may not see each other as often as you wish or schedules can get so full that there hardly seems time for quality visits.

However, growing a stronger family bond can happen at any time, no matter how much time has passed or the distance that may between family members. Take a look at several things you can do right now to grow a stronger family bond at any age!

Be intentional about visiting one another

Months and then years can fly by in between visits with family, especially if you don’t take care to schedule your visits. Some families take annual vacations together, some spend certain holidays together. Figure out what works for your family, then stick to it! The most important point about growing a stronger family bond is to stay connected. Be intentional about seeing one another on a regular basis. Schedule it like you would any other important commitment!

Use technology to your advantage

Thought technology is often seen to be a replacement for face-to-face connections, in situations where family is spread out across the globe, technology can actually help you to reconnect. Use apps like FaceTime or Skype to be able to see family members as you talk to them. Though it will never replace seeing each other in person, you feel more connected than if you were only communicating by email or phone. There are many other apps, like Marco Polo which allows you to easily send short video clips to family so they can hear your voice and see your face every day.

Remember the milestones

Remembering family members’ birthdays, anniversaries and other major milestones is another great way to strengthen your family bond by showing them you care. Mark these special dates on your calendar so you remember to send a card, small gift or text on these days. If you have a big family, it might be easier to keep these dates in a spreadsheet and then at the start of each new month spend an hour or so writing all the cards you wish to send so that they’re ready to go!

Create something together
One final idea to strengthen your family bond is to start a family “project.” Pick something that everyone can help with! Creating a family scrapbook is a great idea because it allows everyone incorporate their own unique memories and add things that someone else might forget. Near or far, you can collaborate on this project together, sharing pictures, captions and stories to include.

A similar idea is a “memory quilt” where family members each create their own square to be sewn together into a larger quilt. Everyone’s square will be different which will create a colorful and fun quilt! Best of all you can share the blanket, with one family member keeping it for a year before sending it on to another family member to enjoy.

Is your family bond as strong as you would like to be? What steps have you taken to strengthen this bond? Share your ideas by leaving a comment below!