7 Ways We’re Building a Stronger Family Bond

In “7 Ways We’re Building a Stronger Family Bond,” we’re sharing our personal journey of Finding Healing, Unity, and Joy in Our Blended Home. Over the past few years, these simple yet powerful steps have helped us reconnect and flourish as a family despite life’s challenges. We hope our story inspires you to build a stronger foundation in your own home, too.

A Personal Journey of Rest and Healing

Over the past few years, Daron and I have been on a journey of healing our hearts and bringing our blended family closer together. We experienced a big shift when we stepped away from full-time ministry to enter a season of rest and renewal. Looking back, it’s clear God used this time to bring us closer as a family—especially after everything we had been through, including the loss of a mom to cancer, divorce, relocating to a new city, and my transition from a full-time career to being a stay-at-home mom.

We realized we needed direction, healing, and quality time to just be together. If you’re in a blended family, or if your family has faced any challenges or transitions, I hope these tips encourage you. These are some of the ways we’ve intentionally strengthened our family bond and found so much healing along the way.

1. Prioritize Family Time

One of the biggest changes we made was to really prioritize being together. We love to unplug, watch faith-based movies (like The Forge—highly recommend!), schedule game nights, and just hang out around the table. We shoot for 3–4 family dinners a week, which gives us the chance to share our days, chat openly, and laugh a lot. Even something as simple as playing cards together can create moments of genuine connection.

Practical Idea: Schedule at least one no-phone family night each week. Cook a meal together, watch a movie, or break out a board game.

2. Pray Together

We’ve found that praying as a family once a week can do wonders for unity. It’s nothing fancy: we just go around the table, and each person prays for whoever is to their right. Daron also sends out a short scripture in our group chat every day, giving us something positive and encouraging to reflect on, no matter how busy things get.

Practical Idea: Start small by praying before meals or bedtime. Over time, see if you can add a weekly “prayer circle” to lift up each other’s needs and dreams.

3. Worship Together

I love to wake up a bit earlier than the kids and play worship music softly in the kitchen. It sets a peaceful tone for the morning. Even the simplest act of singing along, or having music in the background, helps us center our hearts and minds on God’s presence in everyday life.

Practical Idea: Create a family worship playlist. Play it during morning routines or while you’re tidying up—let it fill your home with praise and gratitude.

4. Take Communion Together

Sharing communion as a family has been a powerful way to remember Christ’s sacrifice and refocus our hearts on gratitude. We tend to do this on special occasions—holidays, extended family gatherings, or whenever we sense the need to pause and remember what unites us.

Practical Idea: Plan a simple communion time for the next holiday or family get-together. Invite others to join in, share what communion means to you, and pray together. I’ve found its easy to order prefilled communion cups and have them on hand in a jar or bowl in your dining room. You can order the communion cups we use here. 

5. Teach and Disciple Your Children

Between after-school activities, homework, and everything else on the calendar, we still try to find moments to disciple our kids. For us, dinner time and car rides are golden opportunities to talk about faith, read a short devotion, or discuss Bible stories in everyday language. We’ve also found that inviting the kids to ask questions—any questions—helps them feel safe and eager to learn.

Practical Idea: Keep a short devotional book or Bible study in the car or on the kitchen table. Use it as a launching point for conversation when you’re together.

6. Serve One Another

Life gets hectic, but we’re trying to be intentional about looking for ways to help each other out—whether it’s chores, surprising someone with their favorite coffee, or cheering on a sibling at a sports event. Small acts of service build an atmosphere of kindness and support in the home.

Practical Idea: Challenge everyone to do one small act of service each day—like unloading the dishwasher or giving a genuine compliment. You’ll be surprised at how it shifts the vibe in your home.

7. Celebrate Together

We’ve learned the power of joy! Whether it’s handing out Starbucks gift cards for good grades, blowing up balloons for birthdays, or dancing around the living room when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve—these moments are a reminder that life is a gift. We want our kids to know that God’s kingdom includes joy, and it’s okay to celebrate the little things.

Practical Idea: Pick a family member once a week to celebrate—maybe they finished a big project, got through a tough day, or just need some extra cheer. Surprise them with a small gift or a favorite treat.

A Closing Word on Building a Stronger Family Bond

If your family is going through changes—blending households, shifting careers, or simply trying to reconnect—know that you’re not alone. God cares deeply about our families and desires for us to experience healing, unity, and joy right where we are.

Take a page from Mother Teresa, who said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”

I’d add this reminder of my own:

“Small, intentional steps—taken day by day—can lead to a big transformation in your home.”

I hope these tips and ways we’re building a stronger family bond and our story inspire you to lean into the everyday moments that foster a healthy, thriving family life. There’s so much beauty to be found in turning your hearts toward each other—and toward God—one simple step at a time.

XO,