Weekends are the most anticipated time for the family of Nguyễn Thị Phương Thanh, a resident of Residential Group 5, Điện Biên Phủ ward. Her husband serves in the military and is often stationed away from home. As a result, every opportunity for family reunions is deeply treasured. On weekends, when her husband returns on leave or during short breaks, the family spends time together shopping, cooking, cleaning the house, and catching up after days apart.

Thanh shared: “I always try to arrange my work schedule so that our family can spend more time together on weekends. My husband and I share household responsibilities and work together to care for and educate our children. On special occasions, he often prepares small surprises for the children and me. These simple gestures help strengthen our family bonds.”

Beyond the care and attention of a husband and father, what makes Thanh happiest is the love shared among her children. In their small home, each family member understands their responsibility to preserve family happiness through daily care, understanding, and mutual support.

While Thanh’s family keeps the flame of love alive through companionship between husband and wife, the family of Lò Thị Biên in Lún village, Thanh Yên commune, chooses to strengthen family bonds by spending quality time together. After each day of work and study, her home is filled with laughter. Dinner is the moment when all family members put aside their individual tasks and gather around the table. Everyone limits phone use during this time.

According to Biên, technology offers many conveniences but can also create distance among family members if not used in balance. Therefore, her family has agreed to dedicate specific times each day for conversation and sharing everyday experiences.

“Although everyone has their own responsibilities, our family always tries to maintain the habit of talking together every day. The children share stories from school, grandparents pass on their life experiences, and parents listen to and encourage one another. As a result, we understand each other better, and any misunderstandings can be resolved promptly,” Biên said.

In today’s era of rapid technological advancement, many families face the reality of each person having their own phone and their own private space. Many parents feel that their children share less than before, while young people often feel a lack of understanding from their parents. As a result, face-to-face conversations have become more valuable than ever, helping maintain strong connections among family members. When people take the time to listen to one another, life’s pressures can be shared, and conflicts become easier to resolve.

For the family of Nguyễn Vân Anh, a resident of Residential Group 1, Điện Biên Phủ ward, maintaining family happiness begins with building good family values and teaching children a sense of responsibility. As a woman balancing both a professional career and family responsibilities, she always strives to organize her time so that her children can participate in age-appropriate household tasks.

Within the family, each member has specific responsibilities, ranging from cleaning the house and preparing meals to caring for plants. Vân Anh explained: “I want my children to understand that a family is the shared responsibility of everyone. When they help with household chores, prepare meals together, or take care of their grandparents, they learn the values of sharing and caring for others. To create more time for my family, I usually plan my work schedule at the beginning of each week. Family dinners and weekends become opportunities for us to spend time together, communicate, and teach our children important life values. In this way, family affection is nurtured naturally and sustainably.”

Amid the many changes of modern life, the family remains the most important source of emotional support for every individual. Shared meals, words of concern after a long working day, or simply moments spent together talking about everyday life are the “small flames” that help keep family happiness warm and enduring.

When people learn to cherish these values, the family will always remain a peaceful place to return to - a solid foundation that nurtures the good things in life.