Building Healthy Families

Studies have found that children are better able to be resilient, succeed in school, and have better health outcomes when their parents could:

• Discuss things that mattered with their children,

• Participate in their child’s activities and knew their child's friends, and

• Parents managed their own stress around parenting.

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One of the best ways to help achieve these goals is through creating positive life experiences (PLEs) for yourself and your family. PLEs can be anything that happens in your life that bring you joy and happiness, especially with friends and family. They don't have to be big things and they don't have to cost anything.

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PLEs can be a trip to the park, going to the library for playgroup or a show, watching a movie as a family, working on homework together, hanging out with your child and their friends, taking time to talk about your feelings, or sharing about positive things that happened to you.

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What kind of PLEs do you already do in your life?

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Don't know where to start?

Here are some suggestions to create positive changes in your family that can lead to healthier outcomes:

• Talk with your family and friends about your feelings and encourage them to share their feelings without yelling at or attacking each other.

• Stand by your family during difficult times and encourage them to help stand by you when needed. This is made easier by being able to talk to them about your feelings.

• Participate in community traditions and events. This helps with feeling a sense of belonging in school, at work, and your community.

• Feel a sense of belonging in school or where you work. It isn't always easy to do. This can be made easier by sharing your feelings with others and finding friends to support you, especially when things are rough.

• Feel supported by friends. You should encourage your child to have friends and model this by having your own friends.

• Ensure there are at least two non-parent adults who take a genuine interest in your child. You could be that person for a child.

• Make sure your child feels safe and protected by an adult in your home, or be that person for a child who is in your home or you are close to.