The First day of September 2016 saw the federal government finally opening up about the state of the Nigerian economy drawing the public’s attention to the fact that it is actually worse than we had previously anticipated.

With the acknowledgement that the economy was in recession, the government also made clear the uncertainties surrounding its inability to pay the salaries of its civil servants. Large employers folded up almost immediately and the news brought panic to the millions of Nigerians depending on the government for their livelihood and to their dependants who are now used to a certain way of life.

Undoubtedly, the economic recession will shake the balance in most homes, like it has already done in the home of our beloved Toolz; it will rob the happiness of some homes and even tear some other homes apart. Nevertheless, there are homes that would use the tough times to bond stronger, grow happier and share moments that will last a lifetime and more!

In case you don’t know…
Quality education, good food, allowances and gifts are very good tools in keeping your family members happy but even beyond the iPhone6s that your daughter wants is the need to connect deeply. Beyond the new Toyota car that your husband wants is the desire to be in control and beyond the new gown and jewelry that your wife wants is the desire to be appreciated and ‘beautiful’ once more.
Psychologists believe that these primitive human desires drives consumerism and the ‘get this, get that’ attitudes of people today.

Soft work…
The activities suggested here will help keep your kids, wife, girlfriend, parents and other dependants feeling pampered even with the unavoidable withdrawal of privileges and reduction of allowance that will come with the recession. They are simple but require caution else you come off inciting hate and disgust.

1. Announce the recession and the need to cut excesses in a Family Meeting
Calling a family meeting to discuss the family finances does two things: Firstly, it shows every member of your household that he/she is that important. Secondly, it begins the process of talking to your teenage son or daughter; something which you may not have done in a while. Announce the state of the country’s economy and plead with everybody to be part of the process necessary to keep the family’s economy afloat.

2. Ask for opinions on how to improve the family’s income
After the meeting, meet your children or spouse and other dependant individually to ask for their opinion on how to increase the family’s income. This will help the person you came to for opinion feel special and valued and his opinions could give you an opportunity to do more together if not earn some extra bucks. Remember, there is no force superior to singularity of purpose in forming and keeping strong ties.

3. Do more together
From sharing each other’s experience to storytelling, to gardening or just strolling with your kid or spouse, doing things together is a sure way to foster and grow genuine friendships, one of the key instruments you need in navigating the storms of the recession.

4. Adopt technology
Technology, as simple as a family Whatsapp group to share the family’s To-Do list or a financial planner to show how the family’s incomes are being utilized, or a simple budgeting app to help your kids in planning their allowances, has the power to make transparent the family’s affair and struggles of each individual.

5. Reward Success
When the family’s budget is strictly implemented and some extra change is available at the end of the month, take your wife and kids, your girlfriend or any other dependant you have out for an appreciative dinner. You may use the dinner to give a speech of appreciation and hope. Just show them they matter and you believe that together you will pass through the strom successfully.

How is the country’s economy affecting your family’s happiness? Share with us using the comment box below and we reply you with personalized tips to reclaim your happiness!




Source: http://esther.ng/five-ways-to-pamper-your-family-even-in-hard-times/

Source: www.esther.ng

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