”It is in the shelter of each other that the people live”. —Irish Proverb

Families today are experiencing a new set of realities. Working parents are harried, tired and overextended. Televisions, computers, electronics, the media, appliances, the culture, all interact with and strongly influence family belief systems. Even with the fast pace and the constant changes and influences, there are ageless building blocks to keep families healthy and together.

Some Building Blocks for Healthy Families:

Communicate and listen - Parents and children talk and discuss issues openly and frequently; they foster honest conversation.

Adapt - With life comes change, and families learn to adjust to change, handle stress in a positive manner, and ask for help as needed.

Have clear responsibilities - Clearly designated but flexible responsibilities are very important. Give children/adolescents clear, fair, yet firm idea of what is expected of them. Clear limits, disciplines, boundaries without debilitating shame or guilt maintains respect.

Share time - This is crucial to your family’s well being. Develop routines together, engage in family traditions, and participate in frequent activities together. Share leisure time; foster a sense of play and humor.

Share spirituality - Helping others, developing and sharing a clear set of values, or involving the family in a religious group enhances and emphasizes an important dimension in life.

Participate in the community - Close relations with friends, neighbors, extended family members, and the rest of the community provide a sense of connectedness, of belonging.

Be committed to each other - Our greatest human need is love. Unconditioned love for family members is a priceless gift. Healthy family members appreciate each individual’s uniqueness and are committed to the family as a whole.

How a family functions and how family members care and respect each other makes for strong and heatlhy families. Some additional things to remember:

Be consistent and follow through on what has been established as acceptable and non-acceptable behavior.

Treat each other with respect and acceptance. Try to give constructive advice rather than destructive criticism. Emphasize the positive and seek each other’s strengths.

Do away with double standards. Behavior speaks louder than words.

Families are our shelter from the storms of life. Remember to celebrate your family.