Chapter 12 Healthy Family Relationships By Fabiola Calixte Wileina Calixte Junie Marcelus

Welcome to the Sunshine County Crisis Center for Mothers in Graduate School

Healthy Family Relationships LLesson 1: The Family as a System LLesson 2: Looking at the Health of the Family LLesson 3: Support Systemsfor Families

Lesson 1: The Family as a System

Family as a System  A system similar to the human body  Made up of two parents and one or more children  Health affects the family as a whole

Functions of the Family  Primary Support  Meeting the emotional needs of children and providing nurturing  Installing values and religious beliefs  Passing on traditions and customs from one generation to the next

Meeting Basic Needs of Children  Food, shelter, clothing  Knowledge of how to live safely  Basic social skills  Essential mechanism

Meeting Emotional Needs  Develop a sense of belonging  Families that help them feel secure and loved  Turn to family members for support  Good self-esteem  Instilling Values  Instilling culture and traditions

Responsibilities of Family Members  For a family to function as a healthy unit, each member must be willing to accept his/her responsibilities to the family

Parents Responsibilities  Providing basic comforts and needs  Love and acceptance  Setting limits  Maintaining rules

Children Responsibilities  Chores  Learn life skills needed as an adult  Boost self-esteem  Love and appreciation in return for parents

Building Healthy Family Relationships  Time together  Respect  Solving problems  Love

Building Healthy Family Relationships Cont..  Communication  Affirmation  Trust  Commitment

Lesson 2: Looking at the Health of the Family

Family Stress  Arrival of a new baby or grandparent  Moving  Loss of job  Illness or Disability  Substance Abuse

Separation and Divorce  Meeting the need of children  Family Adjustment  Surviving a breakup

Marriage and Dissolution Rates of Marriage, Rates per 1,000

Domestic Violence  Spouse Abuse  Child Abuse  Emotional Abuse  Neglect ** Family Stress can also lead to running away****

Coping with Family Stress  Talking with parents, with older adults, or with siblings  Doing what one can to help the family out

Coping with Family Stress Cont..  Reading books on the subject  Talking with classmates

Lesson 3: Support Systems for Families

“ A healthy family is a work in progress, requiring an ongoing effort on the part of each member.”

Sources of Help  Crisis Centers  Crisis Hotlines

Crisis Centers  “A facility equipped to handle emergencies ad make referrals for person who need help.”

Crisis Hotlines  “Special phone numbers people can call to receive help twenty- four hours a day.”

Private and Public Services  Parenting  Food  Clothing  Shelter (Foster Care)  Financial Aid  Medical Care  Finding Employment

Outside Services  Support meetings  Family Counseling  Meditations