Difficult, but not impossible.
Because Christ saves us and transforms us, God-honoring family relationships are possible and more than that, expected. If we really pursue Christ and live out the way Paul explains in Colossians 3:1-17, the outflow of that life is seen in how we relate with other people.
Just because a wife is instructed to submit to her husband doesn't mean she is inferior or weak. In Christ we are one in the same as Galatians says "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ." We all have the same worth and value, but we do have different roles and functions.
God created Adam first and laid on him the command to tend to the garden. Seeing that Adam would need help, God creates Eve from the rib of Adam to be a helper. In the context of a loving relationship, wives are to come alongside their husbands to support, encourage, rebuke, and allow them to lead the family. This is how God designed the family to function.
Husbands are to love their wives the way Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25-27). This is a sacrificial love. The husband is to give of himself to his wife to meet her needs and to lead her in loving Christ. So much more could be said on this topic, but this isn't the place. I would add that it is time men step up to lead their families in the way God intends and commands. Too often we fall way short of our responsibility to treat our wives and children with the love and respect they deserve.
Children, obey your parents - why? Because God commands it, and obedience pleases Him. Paul speaks to motive later on in the passage, but that idea transcends the slave/master relationship. Parents - don't try to make your kids angry. There is already enough friction and tension in relationships, we don't need you creating more! Seek to encourage your children in their gifts all the while using discipline and instruction to teach them about Christ and His love.
Masters and Slaves have expectations as well. For some information regarding slavery in the New Testament check out this article.
Paul spends the last handful of verses in chapter four talking about his close friends. These are the guys that Paul has ministered side by side with for a period of time. He knows them and he knows their character. Paul doesn't just run with anyone - his friends are ferocious about the gospel and about living out their calling for Christ.
Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant[a] in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
I have put the names of the men Paul mentions is bold. Take note of what he says about them. The one exception is Demas - who deserts Paul just prior to his death.
Paul's close friends encourage and push him toward Christ, just as Paul himself encouraged and pushed his close friends toward Christ.
Are we willing to evaluate all of our relationships in light of God's instruction? What about our closest friendships? Do they push us toward Christ or draw us away from Him? Do we push our friends closer to Christ or do we draw them away?
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