How to Make Your Family Happy

Co-authored by Sabrina Grover, LMSW

Last Updated: May 30, 2025 References

How can I make my family happy? This important question holds the key to more meaningful relationships with the other members of your household. To help you get started, we've put together plenty of ideas and suggestions to brighten your family members' days. With any luck, you can start forging even more powerful and fulfilling connections with your loved ones.

1

Talk to your family members at the end of the day.

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That way, they can understand you, congratulate or empathize with you and generally know what's going on in your life. In turn, it is equally important that you know about their lives too, so that they feel understood, supported and can be reassured that they are not alone.^{[1]
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2

Spend time with your family members.

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This could include going for walks together, visiting museums and art shows, watching a movie, going for picnics, spending time together in a hobby, building something together, cleaning or renovating together, shopping, playing sports, and so forth.^{[2]
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3

Take interest in the interests of each of your family members.

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Ask them how their hobby, their interest or their work is going. Be an active listener when they tell you and learn what you can. Get informed on the things they are interested in, so you can have meaningful conversations or go to meaningful events together.^{[3]
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Sabrina Grover, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker

Expert Interview}

4

Show genuine concern about your family members.

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If you love them, then tell them that you love them. If you care about them, tell them this. Go out of your way to remind each family member what glues you all together––love, care and support.^{[4]
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5

Surprise your family members sometimes.

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Make dinner for them, prepare a trip somewhere for them or do a chore they dislike doing.

6

Be a good listener.

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Just hear them out at times. That is all they need.^{[5]
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Research source} Make sure they know that whatever they are talking about, you are there to listen and be supportive.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Sabrina Grover, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker

Expert Interview}

7

Try small gestures to help.

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With a simple text or a brief phone call, you can make someone's day. Just make sure you leave a positive message that will leave them feeling happy. When you know that someone is going through a hard time, call text and be with them at their time of need like you would like them to do for you.^{[7]
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EXPERT TIP

Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
Marriage & Family Therapist
Moshe Ratson is the Executive Director of spiral2grow Marriage & Family Therapy, a coaching and therapy clinic in New York City. Moshe is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He received his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College. Moshe is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
Marriage & Family Therapist

Offering to help around your home is also a great gesture. Feel free to take on chores that you wouldn't normally, or offer to help with something.

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How to manage work and family?

Missclever0402

Community Answer

Make sure your family understands that you have a lot of workload on your shoulders. Try to find some time once a week or every second week to talk to your family via a phone call. You can make them happy if you show up on birthdays or other important days. If you can't find the time to visit them, then try to compensate for it with a video call or something, so that they can see how important they are to you.

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Tips

Try to keep communication gaps at bay all times.

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Try to respect them, and treat them how you would want to be treated.

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Warnings

Be calm. Try not to be angry or fearful at all times.

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Try not to be rude. Try to understand them and make yourself understand politely.

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