Strength in Numbers

It has been proven time and time again that children from families with strength are successful in life, resilient, and self-confident.

What does it mean for a family to be strong? Can a large family be strong? Can a single parent of one child be strong? The answer is absolutely yes. Family strength has to do with the things that a family, of ANY size, does together.

The Search Institute resource for families, Parent Further, has identified a variety of things families can do that promote key qualities (they call them assets) that help families build strength. These assets (listed below) are research-based and can help teens and adults do better in life.

The assets are:

*Nurturing relationships

*Establishing routines

*Maintaining expectations

*Adapting to challenges

*Connecting to community

For concrete ideas and examples of the ways that families promote these assets check out the link to the Parent Further Fact Sheet. You will probably find that your family is already doing many of the things suggested.