Do you find yourself comparing your family to your neighbors, friends or siblings? Trying to keep up with the Jones’s? According to Dolores Curran, author of Traits of a Healthy Family , that is the worst thing you can do.
Healthy families are the foundation of emotional growth, resilience, and lifelong support. While no family is perfect, there are key traits that foster trust, communication, and respect. Whether you’re a parent, child, partner, or caregiver, understanding these qualities can help you strengthen your family bond and create a more nurturing home.
Curran developed the 15 traits of a healthy family by interviewing middle-income families in urban, suburban and rural areas. The results were the following traits listed as only guidelines for healthy families.Communication & Emotional Support
1. Communicate and Listen
2. Affirm and Support One Another
Words and actions reflect love, encouragement, and appreciation, reinforcing each person’s value in the family.
3. Develop a Sense of Trust
Trust is built through consistency, honesty, and reliability, forming a safe emotional foundation for everyone.
4. Admit to and Seek Help for Problems
Healthy families are not free of challenges, but they address issues openly and aren’t afraid to seek outside support when needed.
5. Respect One Another's Privacy
Boundaries are honored, and each family member has personal space that is acknowledged and respected.
Values & Moral Guidance
6. Teach Respect for Others
Healthy families model respectful behavior through empathy, consideration, and understanding.
7. Teach a Sense of Right and Wrong
Parents and caregivers instill moral values and ethics, helping children learn accountability and build strong character.
8. Have a Shared Spiritual Core
Families may draw strength from shared beliefs or values, which foster a deeper sense of connection and meaning.
9. Value Service to Others
Serving the community or supporting others as a family teaches empathy, compassion, and gratitude.
Connection & Togetherness
10. Have a Sense of Play and Humor
Laughter and lighthearted moments help reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and create positive memories.
11. Foster Table Time and Conversation
Shared meals provide an important time to reconnect, discuss the day, and deepen emotional bonds in a relaxed setting.
12. Share Leisure Time
Spending time together doing enjoyable activities helps families bond and creates lasting memories.
13. Have a Strong Sense of Family in Which Rituals and Traditions Abound
From holidays to bedtime routines, shared traditions strengthen identity and provide comfort and continuity.
Roles & Responsibility
14. Exhibit a Shared Sense of Responsibility
Responsibilities are distributed fairly, and each member takes ownership of their role in keeping the family functioning well.
15. Have a Balance of Interaction Among Members
No one dominates the dynamic. Each person has the opportunity to contribute, engage, and be included in decisions and conversations.
Why These Traits Matter
When families practice these healthy habits, they foster emotional security, teach effective communication, and nurture lifelong resilience. Children in these environments often develop higher self-esteem and better interpersonal skills, while adults report deeper satisfaction in relationships and parenting. No family gets it right 100% of the time—but progress is always possible
Support for Building a Healthier Family
If your family struggles with communication, boundaries, or unresolved conflict, family therapy can help. A licensed therapist can support you in uncovering patterns, strengthening emotional bonds, and learning new tools that create a healthier home for everyone.
Reach out today to learn how we can help you move toward the family life you deserve.