In most family units, there tends to be one person who seems to take control of, or hold the authority over, everyone else. This isn’t held in a tyrannical sense, rather thanks to their experience, their responsibilities and their capabilities, they de facto become the people that everyone tends to refer to when they need help, advice, or care.

 

That can be quite tiring, especially if so many people are relying on you at once. Of course, most people willingly take on this burden, because looking after our family is probably the single most worthwhile use of our time we could ever invest in.

 

That said, finding your feet in this role can be a tough ask, yet it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do everything for anyone else. It simply means being able to be part of the tough decisions, to communicate well, and to make sure people can come to you should they need to.

 

With that in mind, consider our advice should you be given this particular status:

 

Learn How To Delegate Authority & Communicate

 

Delegating authority is a vital life skill that many of us need to learn at some point or another, be that managing a team as part of our career or simply dividing up the wedding planning arrangements as part of a bridal team. Creating a family meeting space, a group chat via mobile apps, and carefully assigning authority to certain members of the family (such as asking your child-free brother to help your parents move out of their abode) can be key. It will help you stop shouldering everything yourself.

 

Make Careful Decisions 

 

It’s good to make decisions that have import, and that can be good for your family using your own judgment, not afraid to make a final choice where possible. For instance, deciding that your relative would be much better off at a beautiful nursing home properly equipped to help with their medical needs is a tough decision despite how many benefits it can bring, but having the confidence to do so after vetting a place with your family members to help you can be key to movement, and to avoid stagnation as a family. 

 

Stand For The Values You Wish To See

 

Of course, being looked up to isn’t all bad, and it isn’t all about taking hold of the most intensive familial tasks. It’s good to stand up for the values you wish to see. This might mean being empathetic to a family member who has had life go a way they weren’t expecting, or staying strong when bad news comes, or learning to celebrate good news, or showcasing the value of staying in touch with one another by visiting your extended family more often and asking them to do the same. This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how efforts this can permeate the mentalities of all those in your family space.

 

With this advice, we believe you’ll become the head of your family in the best possible sense – more than deserving of the role.