Family Support

Let me begin by saying I recognize that the Family Support Asset has already been published. However, due to the loss of my grandmother, Jean Atnip, I have spent considerable time this week thinking about the importance of family, and for that reason would like to write about this Asset again.

 The time spend this week with family and friends reminded me once again of the importance of family support. I was reminded in a very personal way this week that families are essential in times of need because they can give comfort for the tears, an opportunity to share memories and a chance to share laughter in remembrance of good times. I am very grateful that my parents and grandparents have provided me with a strong, loving family.

 Strong families are built through love and commitment on a daily basis. We cannot wait until major events approach to try to become close or support one another. It has to be an every day effort. We should try to attend each others events. Parents can ask their children about their school work and take an interest in their friends and activities.

 I recognize that spending quality time is often difficult between all of our other activities. Between work, school, our faith, athletics and other extracurricular activities, there are often not enough hours in the day to spend with our families. We have to be willing to make the time though. One way we can do that is through the Monday Night is Family Night Initiative. This effort was created through a Resolution by Huntsville City Council in the spring of 2003. As an incentive to take part in this initiative, Huntsville’s Promise has pledge cards available for families to commit to spend Monday night together as a family. In exchange, families will receive a “Monday Night is Family Night Card”, good for discounts at local businesses. More information can be found at www.huntsvilletexas.info, or by calling Huntsville’s Promise at 291-5950.  We do recognize that Monday nights might not be the best for every family, so if your family is not able to spend time together on Mondays, try to pick another time during the week. Maintaining healthy family relationships is essential for all of us.

 Huntsville’s Promise speaks often about the developmental assets, and we write about one per week in this column. In looking at the 40 developmental assets, almost every one can be strengthened by the family. For example families can support reading, creative activities, school achievement, honesty, service and religious opportunities. It is important for the community as a whole to support our youth, but often, it starts in the home.

 I hope that this week, each of us can take an opportunity to think about what we as individuals can do to strengthen our family. Let us try to find ways to spend quality time together, to share each other’s company and to strengthen one another.  

06.13.04