Keeping Your Family Strong

Every family has strengths, and every family faces challenges.  When you are under stress-the car breaks down, you or your partner loses a job, a child's behavior is difficult, or even when the family is experiencing a positive change, such as moving into a new home-sometimes it takes a little extra help to get through the day.  Protective factors are the strengths and resources that families draw on when life gets difficult.  Building on these strengths is a proven way to keep the family strong and prevent child abuse and neglect.  These tips, provided by the the U.S. Department of Child Welfare describe some of the protective factors and some simple ways you can build these into your own family.


Protective Factor #1: Nurturing and Attachment- Our family shows how much we love each other

Strategies:

• Take a few minutes at the end of each day to connect with your children via a hug, a smile, a song or a few minutes of just listening and talking
• Find ways to engage your child while completing everyday tasks (meals, shopping, driving in the car).  Talk about what you are doing or play simple games such as "I Spy"

Protective Factor #2: Parental Resilience-I have courage during stress and the ability to bounce back during challenges

Strategies:

• Take a quiet time to re-energize: Take a bath, write, sing, laugh, drink a cup of tea
• Do some physical exercise: Walk , stretch, do yoga, lift weights
• Share your feelings with someone you trust

Protective Factor #3: Social Connections- I have family, friends and neighbors who help me out and provide emotional support
 
Strategies:

• Join a playgroup or on-line support group of parents with children of similar ages
• Find a church, temple or mosque that welcomes and supports parents
• Participate in neighborhood and community activities such as lunch in the park, outdoor concerts, street fairs, farmer's markets and potlucks