Cultivating family happiness

The old saying goes, "Men build houses, women build homes." In modern society, the roles of men and women have changed considerably, but for a house to truly become a home, the woman's hand in "keeping the flame" is indispensable. She prepares meals, maintains family traditions, cares for the emotional well-being of family members; she listens, shares, and connects everyone... contributing to building a happy family.

Women choose the food, pouring their love into family meals. (Illustrative image)

After teaching at school, Ms. Hong Nhung, residing in Ninh Kieu ward, quickly stops by the supermarket to buy vegetables, meat, and fruit to prepare for dinner. Her day begins at dawn with preparing breakfast, taking her children to school, teaching classes, and grading papers. In the evening, she takes care of cooking, cleaning the house, and preparing lesson plans. Despite being busy, she still tries to balance her work at school and taking care of her family. Ms. Hong Nhung shared: “I always maintain family meals. Because through them, family members can gather, share stories of joys and sorrows, and share their worries in life. For me, that is the way to ‘keep the flame’ burning in the family home.”

Nhung shared her feelings: "Keeping the family flame alive isn't just about silently shouldering all the responsibilities, but about organizing, sharing, and openly discussing housework and childcare with your husband." Previously, although her husband loved his wife and children very much, he was somewhat inattentive and paid little attention to the pressures she faced. When she carefully shared her thoughts, he gradually changed, becoming more proactive in helping her. On days when he came home early, he would prepare meals and clean the house so she could have more time to rest.

Not only that, Nhung also acts as a "bridge" to help father and daughter understand each other better. When her daughter was confused about choosing a major, Mr. Hoang, worried about her future, reacted somewhat harshly. Nhung listened to her daughter's concerns, then gently explained things to her husband, helping him understand their daughter and talk to her more calmly and gently. For Nhung, a woman who knows how to "keep the flame" of the family alive is someone who knows how to listen, share, and compromise so that husband and wife, parents and children understand and respect each other.

Minh Thu's family in Phong Dien commune is always filled with laughter. Few people know that to achieve this warm and cozy atmosphere, her family went through a very difficult period. Her husband lost his job, her young children were constantly ill, living expenses increased, while her accountant's salary was not enough to cover all expenses. "There were times when I almost gave up. But I thought, if I gave up, I don't know what would happen to my family's happiness," Thu recalled.

After much deliberation, she chose to confront the situation and find a solution. She encouraged her husband to learn car repair so he could have a stable job, while she carefully managed every expense. Ms. Thu shared: “Although the difficulties affected my mental state to some extent, I always reminded myself not to bring work pressure home, trying to maintain a light and cheerful family atmosphere. Every evening, I spent time asking about my children's studies and friends; listening to my husband recount his daily work…”

Ms. Tú, residing in Ninh Kiều ward, runs a small business at the market. For her, maintaining family happiness begins with managing finances. Despite fluctuating income, she meticulously records and calculates every expense, striving to provide her husband and children with simple but nutritious meals. Her husband works as a security guard, a job with irregular hours and unstable pay, often causing him frustration and stress. She doesn't scold or complain; instead, she gently encourages him, suggesting he learn a trade or take on plumbing and electrical repair jobs for neighbors to supplement his income. "When my husband is down, harsh words could easily ruin our family happiness. I just gently encourage him to try harder and be more diligent," Ms. Tú confided.

Meeting and talking with happy families reveals that each household has its own way of preserving and strengthening family bonds. Family happiness is the result of the efforts of both husband and wife, but the role of the woman in kindling and maintaining the "warm flame" in the home is highly commendable. This role isn't just about cooking and managing household chores, but also about how a woman behaves, listens, and shares with her husband and children. Furthermore, women today are proactively equipping themselves with knowledge and skills: raising children, managing finances, resolving family conflicts; and at the same time, knowing how to take care of themselves to maintain health and well-being... all contributing to building lasting family happiness.

Text and photos: KIEN QUOC

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/vun-dap-hanh-phuc-gia-dinh-a194732.html