STRONG AND HAPPY FAMILIES 

 Strong and happy families create a sense of well-being within the family and in each member of the family. Well-being encompasses a person's physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Strong and happy families encourage and support each other to be optimistic and hopeful and to strive together to achieve something individually and as a family. In strong and happy families, everyone has the right to feel safe, comfortable, happy, and loved. Parents have a responsibility to provide their children with suitable role models and a caring environment in which they can thrive. 

 The Family Strengths Research Project * identified eight strengths that strong and happy families in Australia have in common. These are: 

 Communication: 

 Strong and happy families value open, two-way communication. This means that parents and children make sure that everyone listens to each other and has a chance to talk to each other. Strong and happy families create opportunities for the whole family to participate in discussions about everyday matters, as well as to discuss issues and problems. 

 Union: 

 Union creates a "glue" to help families develop a sense of togetherness. Togetherness means sharing similar values, beliefs, and morals. Children are seen as important members of the family who have a strong sense of belonging to the family. Strong and happy families stick together on their way through life. 

 Sharing Activities: 

 Strong and happy families share and do things together. This can be sports, games, reading stories, spending time together, sharing interests, and going on vacation. As children grow older, more creative thinking is required to involve them in family activities. It is suggested to invite the older children's friends to family activities and create a "youth-friendly" home in which the children's friends are actively encouraged to "hang out." 

 Affection: 

 Affection is manifested through the real exchange of feelings through hugs, caresses, and kisses. Strong, happy families tell each other how they feel, be considerate of each other's feelings, and care, care, consider and care for each other. 

 Support: 

 Every member of a strong and happy family knows that family members are always there to care for and care for them. In a strong and happy family, it is okay to ask for help and support. 

 Acceptance: 

 Strong and happy family members show respect and appreciation for the differences of others. Competition is discouraged and family members recognize and appreciate each other's uniqueness, respect other points of view, forgive each other, and give each other their own freedom. 

 Commitment: 

 Strong and happy families are committed and loyal to each other and to the family in general. Strong and happy families feel safe and secure, trust each other, and keep their promises. 

 Resilience: 

 Strong and happy families have the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and have a positive attitude to challenges that arise. Strong and happy families discuss things, keep the hopes of others, and come together in a crisis and learn as a family in the process. 

 In strong and happy families, adult-child relationships are nurturing and supportive, friendly and just, in which children