The Strengthening Families Program

Fifty-six families with 6^th graders just completed the program in March 2005 (attending at least 5 out of 7 sessions).  The following statements reflect what they got out of the program…

 

What would you tell other parents about the SFP?  Parents said:

• It is a nice “together” experience that all families should treat themselves to.
• You learn how to talk to your kids better and solve disagreements without yelling.
• It offers good tips and ideas for helping understand your child and it gives different ideas on talking and listening to your child. 
• It helps with communication between parent and child.
• Good for discipline, encouragement and the “how to’s” of a family unit.
• It is a very good program to help remind us to look at things from their point of view and help them see things from our point of view.
• It’s a very positive experience with little pressure and lots of good practice. 
• Fun – helpful.
• Learn tools for parenting your kids.
• The kids have a good time and learn things too!
• It can only improve your family.
• It’s a wonderful program for everyone.  Good opportunity to spend time together. 
• Worth the time commitment.

 

What would you tell your friends about the SFP?   6^th graders said:

• It’s fun.  You get to do activities.
• You get money, you get a meal and you get a gift certificate at the end.
• You talk things over with your parents.
• It helps your family be stronger.
• You learn about your family.
• You meet new people.  It’s great.
• It’s fun and you learn how to handle things that might happen in your life.
• Peer pressure is easier to understand and you can get along better with people.
• I do things I’m supposed to more often.  Listen to parent. 
• We don’t yell as much.  We are a stronger family. 

 

What is one change your family has made as a result of the SFP?  Parents said:

• We discuss situations more and we spend more time with our kids.
• I match discipline better to the misbehavior.  We were pretty unrealistic before and unable to follow through with the punishment. 
• Working with our child to help her take more responsibility at home. 
• Talking more, Listen even if not interested.  Focus on word choices.
• Made a chore board.  A little more organized and can deal better with problems. 
• Have a family meeting on every Sunday.
• Not as much arguing.

 

What is one change you or your family has made as a result of the SFP?   6^th graders said:

Being kind.  We are closer.  Getting along better.  We don’t fight as much.  We don’t yell as much.

Listening.  We spend more time together.  More chores.  How to handle video game time.  I stopped back-talking.  Family meetings.  Communication.  Stronger family because we learned how to cooperate.