WHAT'S A FAMILY?
Family bonds
How a family live together, caring and supporting each other, even in bad or difficult times, makes the bonds and connections very strong. Providing stability and a firm foundation to counteract uncertainty is a big responsibility but also an immense opportunity.
Communication is a solid and important element in family relationships, it strengthens them and makes the family a home of comfort, reassurance and shared love.
Being parents
Being parents can be wonderful, but challenging1 and difficult. Most parents may sometimes feel overwhelmed. There is a lot of information about what we “should” do to raise “good” kids but there are no guaranteed methods for ensuring that our children will be happy, healthy and successful in life. However, plenty of research shows that parents can make a significant difference through a number of simple approaches.
Adults and children
The adults involved in children’s lives – parents, teachers, relatives – play an important role in their development. Building a strong network of caring adults for your children is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible.
Spending quality time together will not only strengthen your own relationship with your children, it also encourages the building of relationships with other adults. When you give your children the resources they need, they will reach adulthood well prepared.
The authoritative style
After years of research, experts in child development and child psychology agree that the ideal style for parenting is what is known as the authoritative style. In this role parents:
- guide by providing goals and limits that are appropriate to the age, ability and interest of the child;
- encourage through praise and celebration of results;
- develop a positive relationship that includes time to play and have fun as well as time to communicate and reflect;
- provide rules to promote healthy development, self-discipline and develop a healthy respect for themselves and others.1
WARM UP
How many of you are there In your famlly?
• What ls your deflnltlon of a famlly?
• Do you know any famllies with more than three chlldren?
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1 "Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it." Harold Hulbert
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1 Australlan chlldren answer the questlon: what ls famlly?
O What is family? posted by AIFStv