For Parents & Caregivers
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Building a Strong Family System
Creating a Healthy Family Environment
These tips can help support family relationships and safety:
- Make time to connect with each child one-on-one, whether it’s a trip to the drive-thru together or a walk after dinner. Ask about their friends and activities, and about their worries and concerns (see Opening lines of communication).
- Encourage healthy habits like eating well and getting regular sleep (see Ways to support mental wellness).
- Talk with your child’s teachers, coaches, or other adults in their life for their observations and suggestions about the best ways to support your child at school and at home (see Navigating School Systems).
- Keep your home safe. Remove or safely store weapons and consider how to best keep substances that have the potential to be abused or used in ways other than intended (such as alcohol, medications, chemicals).
- Brainstorm ways for the whole family to have fun together. Talk about what each family member would enjoy doing together, whether it is a game or movie night, spending time with other families or friends, attending a sporting or cultural event, attending a spiritual or religious service, sharing a designated meal, or visiting a spot that includes something for everyone’s tastes.
“Family traditions, or quiet time spent reflecting, ground me. They give me a sense of stability and remind me of where I come from, especially during stressful or chaotic times.”
— submitted by a Young Person
