This is a contributed post and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.

There probably isn’t a family on the planet who have not been faced with at least one big crisis that has affected them all in some way. From deaths in the family to , addictions, and convictions. There are lots of huge issues that average families…families that probably look a lot like yours… have to face every day and they can either make or break those tangled up in the mess.

It makes sense then, to know what to do when a crisis hits your family. If you’re prepared and you know what steps you will need to take. You stand a much better chance of holding things together and getting through whatever obstacle has been thrown in your path. 

Work Out Exactly What is Wrong

A lot of families think that they know exactly what is at the core of the crisis they are going through. The thing about that though, is that the central issue isn’t always the one that’s causing the pressure to build.  And consequently, the family to suffer. It is often a secondary cause that is really making life difficult for everyone. For example, for a family who are dealing with a loved one who is addicted to drugs, the issue of supporting the addict, getting them help and dealing with their issues will be easier to deal with than the lack of support that another family member is giving. Or, managing differing opinions on how to manage the issue. So, before you do anything else, work out what your biggest problem actually is. Bear in mind, it might not be exactly what you think it is.

Face the Problem Head On

If your family is facing a crisis, you should not try to hide the extent of the problem. By ignoring the issues, you allow them to fester. That can cause irreparable damage. Whereas if you act fast, get the family together and acknowledge that there is a family crisis that needs attention…you’re more likely to get through it as a family. So, stop hiding those debt reminders, tell your loved ones that you are struggling with that addiction, or do whatever it is you need to do to get things out in the open.

Get Knowledge

There is no situation that cannot improve by increasing your knowledge. If your family is in crisis, then finding out as much as you can about the problem that you’re having is an important step towards fixing it. It’s so easy to go purely on emotions and try to fix things off the top of your head. However, unless you have prior knowledge and experience of whatever it is you’re trying to sort out, it probably won’t work as well as you would like. Keep in mind that there is so much knowledge available at your fingertips that you’d be foolish not to make use of it.

Think to the Past

If you’ve been through family crises in the past,  then it’s probably worth thinking about what you did back then to sort things out and move on. The issues might be different, but the ways you deal with them do not necessarily have to be. And, it’s always worth trying what has worked before because it’s the same family. Which means there’s a good chance it’ll work again.

Offer Support

When it comes to a family crisis, you can always offer your support to the rest of the family even if it’s hard. You might, for example, be extremely angry and disappointed that your daughter has gotten into trouble with the police. However, instead of shouting and screaming at her. Or, telling her just how foolish she was and refusing to help her out…get her a lawyer, look at the local sentencing chart to see what she faces and offer her your support. By doing so, you do not have to condone her actions. You can tell her calmly what was wrong. This way will be making your point in a much more mature way. A way which is more likely to keep the family together. This goes for everyone in every kind of crisis. Stand by them and do all you can to help them or you will probably end up regretting it. Not only because you might lose them, but also because a lack of support from you could cause a schism with the family members who do offer up as much help as they are able.

Get Some Distance

That being said…offering your support does not necessarily mean that you will be available 24/7 to deal with the family concerns. You and every other member of your family would undoubtedly benefit from a break or two. It will not only give yourself some time off,but to get some perspective on the situation you’re dealing with too.

Consider Professional Help

Of course, there are lots of situations when your support is not enough to get the family through a crisis. When that happens, you should really consider getting professional help. It can be the help of a debt counselor, a family therapist, a rehab treatment center or even friends of the family. There is no shame in admitting that you and your family are struggling. Actually, it shows just how strong you are and how willing you are to fight for your family. 

If you need help, you need it. Fail to get that help, and your family could fall apart. And I’m sure is the last thing that you want to happen.

The Bottom Line

Dealing with any kind of crisis within the family is tough. You can’t just leave it behind you when you head out of the door like you can with work problems. And obviously, family crises hit you harder than any other. But, if you stay strong, try some of the strategies above and remind yourself just how important your family is on a regular basis, you will get through it. Good luck!

We want to hear from you! Tell us below how you handle crisis that challenge your family.