Uplifting Family Quotes To Make You Smile

Family, family life, and family love mean different things to different people. It's not about whether your family is the people who raised you, friends you've made along the way, or your blood relatives. It's usually more about having a family who's there for each other when it matters most. A happy family can be made of any combination of people who care about each other deeply and have a bond that links them together.

You might talk about your family in therapy, write about them in your journal, or keep them in your heart as you go through each day. Whatever the case, we hope these uplifting family quotes make you smile as you think of your loved ones. 

Five funny quotes about family

Some families can do the craziest things and are always good for a laugh. You'll find plenty of comedy movies and shows that shine a light on this, too, from The Royal Tenenbaums and Eulogy to Meet the Parents and Malcolm in the Middle.

These comedies resonate with many Americans because they're relatable many of us, just like the following funny quotes: 

“Home, nowadays, is a place where part of the family waits till the rest of the family brings the car back.” – Earl Wilson

“One day, you will do things for me that you hate. That is what it means to be family.” – Jonathan Safran Foer

“Family is just accident…. They don’t mean to get on your nerves. They don’t even mean to be your family; they are.” – Marsha Norman

"If minutes were kept of a family gathering, they would show that 'members, not present' and 'subjects' discussed were the same." – Robert Brault

“The advantage of having only one child is that you always know who did it.” – Erma Bombeck

Heartwarming quotes about family

Maybe your family doesn't make you smile because they're doing something silly, but because they warm your heart. Perhaps a family member you rarely speak to did something nice for you out of the blue, or your sibling surprised you at work with a packed lunch and a bouquet for your birthday.

They might sometimes annoy you, and you may think you don't understand one another. But in heartwarming moments like these, many realize that we appreciate our family and are glad to be a part of it. 

If this sounds like you, these heartwarming quotes might help you describe how your family makes you feel: 

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.” – Richard Bach

“I know why families were created with all their imperfections. They humanize you. They are made to make you forget yourself occasionally so that the beautiful balance of life is not destroyed.” – Anais Nin

“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” – Thomas Jefferson

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” – Jane Howard

“No family is perfect… we argue we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times. But in the end, the family is family… The love will always be there.” – Unknown

"Love your family. Spend time, be kind and serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised and today is short." – Unknown

Inspiring quotes about family

Some of your greatest inspirations in life might come from your family. Whether you look up to a successful family member or have someone encouraging you to pursue your dreams, your family can be the flame that gets you moving or the fuel that keeps your fire burning.

For example, you might have an older sibling they look up to and want to emulate or a younger sibling that impresses them daily because they are so intelligent and successful for their age. Or maybe you have that brave aunt who beat breast cancer or that strong-willed uncle who returned to college and got his Master’s degree. 

When you have family members like these, they inspire you to keep going. If this sounds like your family, you may not know how to sum up your feelings and gratitude, but these quotes might help: 

“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry

"Everyone needs a house to live in, but a supportive family is what builds a home." – Anthony Liccione

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” – George Bernard Shaw

“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” - Pope John XXIII

“When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you.” – Guy Lafleur

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” – Anthony Brandt

“In every conceivable manner, the family is linked to our past, bridge to our future.” – Alex Haley

Uplifting quotes for children

It's sometimes difficult for children and teens to understand the value of family, and it may be hard to teach them. 

And that's okay! 

These uplifting quotes might help you express just how much you value the younger members of your family in a way that makes sense to them:

“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” – Barbara Bush

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten." – Lilo and Stitch

“When trouble comes, it’s your family that supports you.” – Guy Lafleur

“Sticking with your family is what makes it a family.” – Mitch Albom

"The child is the beauty of God present in the world, that greatest gift to a family.” - Mother Teresa

“It’s not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts.” – J.M. Laurence

Five uplifting family quotes to make you smile when you’re sad

For many of us, the last thing we want to do is smile when we're sad. But thinking about your family in times of need can uplift you and show you the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Whether you're going through troubled times or writing a note to a family who has recently experienced loss, the following quotes might lift your spirits: 

“No person is ever truly alone. Those who live no more, whom we loved, echo still within our thoughts, our words, our hearts.” – Unknown

"Tenderly, may time heal your sorrow. Gently, may your friends ease your pain. Softly, may peace replace heartaches. And may warmest memories remain." – Unknown

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

“The agony is great, and yet I will stand it. Had I not loved so much, I would not have hurt so much. But goodness knows I would not want to diminish that precious love by one fraction of an ounce. I will hurt. And I will be grateful for that hurt, for it bears witness to the depth of our meaning. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.” Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Strengthen family bonds in online therapy

Whether you choose your family from your friends or choose to love the family you’re born into, we hope these uplifting family inspirational quotes have made you smile and you've found a few you'll keep with you. Regardless of your relationship with your family or who you consider your family, talking about it with a licensed counselor might be another way to make yourself smile. Therapy can offer numerous benefits to individuals and families, including improved communication skills, emotional expression, stress management, and mental health. 

A therapist can offer advice, listen to your grievances, and provide unbiased feedback as they help you grow. They can also be there for you if you need a shoulder to lean on when things are tense with your family. And if you're unsure if in-person sessions with work for your schedule or provide the discretion you desire, online therapy is equally effective. 

Regain is here to help those who want to begin an online therapy journey. We'll connect you with a licensed professional based on your needs and preferences, and you can reach out to your professional 24/7 when you need support. The same is true if you're looking for a family or couples counselor instead of (or in addition to) a therapist just for you.