It's the week of Thanksgiving - and it's also Family Week, a time, according to the Family Service Council of Ohio (FSCO), "to underscore the importance of families, the critical role they play in Ohio, and what makes them strong."
Whenever I make that list of what I am grateful for, "family" is always there - at the top, which is one reason I really liked the "Family Report Card" FSCO sent out this past week. They suggested that families complete it together to see how they score.
FSCO is not a "religious" organization but I was struck not only with how meaningful the areas they want families to look at are but also with the measures they use for rating. These are areas that all families - traditional and non-traditional - could benefit from discussing. We'll look at the first five today and the second five tomorrow. The rating scale is 0=Low and 10=High.
Communication
- Strong families communicate clearly, openly and frequently. Family members share thoughts and opinions and are always open and honest.
Encouragement
- Strong families appreciate and value the uniqueness of each family member. Family members strive to create a sense of belonging for everyone and support/encourage one another.
Commitment
- Strong families are committed to the family as a unit. Family members give each other positive reinforcement and see themselves as a team.
Morals & Values
- Strong families are guided by morals respected by all members. Family members discuss their values with each other and respect each other's values.
Community
- Strong families are connected to their communities.
Involvement
- Family members are not isolated; they contribute to their community, and can rely on neighbors and friends.
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to build strong relationships with our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers and our partners, nourishing them with love, care, and a supportive home. May we all grow to become all you created us to be. Amen.
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