The Power of The Family Takes Commitment
by Linda De Carvalho
After weeks of feeling sick, Fred finally went to see the doctor. After his examination, the doctor pulled his wife aside and told her, “Your husband’s diagnosis is dismal but maybe you can turn things around. Try making him feel comfortable with three home-cooked meals each day, a back rub every morning, breakfast in bed, full massage in the afternoon, and keep the house spotless.” Later that evening, Fred asked his wife, “What did the doctor tell you?” Her answer was swift, “You’re dying!”
Of course, this story was meant to be funny but also it illustrates how commitment may be difficult for many of us. No matter how much you may love someone, when a problem comes around, it might seem easier to just disappear for a while. Or what about that big purchase you made! You signed that huge agreement without reading it. Then when something goes wrong, you go back to that big document looking for a way out.
Committing to someone or something means sticking through the good times and the bad. And when family members commit to each other, their united front can be very powerful and help all family members withstand storms. The power of the family is not about wealth, status, or lineage. Family power is about staying together because you are better together. It’s all for one and one for all! You share common goals like watching a favorite show or going to the beach. But you also respect each other’s opinions when you don’t agree.
Here’s some ways to make your family more powerful!
Start with a hug. Let those positive emotions surface with a hug. Not only will your feelings improve, hugs also provide some bonus health benefits! When you hug, your body’s oxytocin levels are boosted helping to calm your nerves, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and help you to sleep.
Don’t be afraid to say, “I love you” or “I’m sorry.” I don’t know about you, but sometimes these words might be hard to say. Just ask your kids! Communication does wonders for any relationship. It’s important to express our feelings so we are not misunderstood. Many times, just hearing the right words from a loved one makes all the difference in the world.
You’re on the same team. Remember that being a family is not a competition. All members are winners when they stay together and move in a positive direction. Ask yourself how you can help or support another family member with a problem or project they’re working on.
Create with some fun. Find some time to do an activity that everyone in the family will love. Maybe share a movie night, trip to the park, or play your favorite game. Don’t forget that old saying, “the family that plays together, stays together.” Doing fun things as a family can help to keep everyone’s spirits up and strengthen ties.
Take advantage of the good times! Remind each other how wonderful it is to be a family when things are going well. Trust me, you need to bond when things are rosy because it’s much harder to do when all trouble breaks loose. Don’t let an opportunity to share the joys of being a family pass you by. Maybe one of your kids just told a funny joke or you just finished taking a family group selfie—both would be a great time to let your family know how much they mean to you. Or maybe a big group hug is more your style. Either way, do something that expresses your feelings and helps to strengthen the bond between you.
Keep in mind that members feel more secure when they know that they are part of a group that cares about them. With life’s ups and downs, keeping the family together is powerful and makes good sense. You’ll always have someone to turn to when you need help with a project, need a big hug, or maybe just a shoulder to cry on.
The images are everywhere! You know, the ones featuring the happy couple walking hand in hand on some beautiful beach at sunset. Or, maybe it’s an internet ad that shows a picture-perfect family with smiling faces at the dinner table. And let’s not forget the life-defining social media posts! Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become the new digital family albums. It’s seems everyone is scrambling to snap, share, and admire flawless pictures of the baby, the happy couple, the birthday child, or an amazing restaurant dish before it’s devoured.
REALLY!?! When was the last time you found yourself sitting at the dinner table with all family members present and smiling? And if they are present and smiling, they are more likely than not, interacting with their mobile devices. If you’re a parent, how long did it really take to get the baby to pose just right? Oh, and the happy couple in that Facebook photo, they are now divorced.
For some of 
On the other hand, finding a magic hero-like moment can be a realistic goal and something worth striving for. It’s personal, between you and your child. Real-life heroes are unique and don’t need to wear a uniform or mask. And they don’t need to scale a high rise. So, what does it take to be your child’s hero? Real heroes just need to know what matters most to a kid. Getting to know your child is a good starting point. What is his or her favorite flavor of ice cream? What is his or her favorite time of the day? What is his or her favorite subject in school? If you think you already know the answers, talk it over together anyway. Listen carefully. And remember that dads don’t have to always have the right answer, the right clothes, or the right job—dads just need to try. After all, heroes don’t come with instructions. Heroes just create those special moments, find quality time, and interact with their children.
When it comes to parenting, any man can become a father, but it takes someone special to be one. Breaking away from parenting stereotypes, the father, not just the mother, should play a significant role in parenting a child. Fatherhood sounds like too much work, but it isn’t – it’s just like being a manager in a small company. There are so many parenting articles out there that educate us on how mothers should be solely responsible for raising a child, but not enough articles are written for giving proper advice to the male counterparts of that which are fathers. We have to admit, some men may be clueless about raising a child, because men are supposed to do the bread-winning. These days, the mother can be the sole financial supporter of the family, resulting in a dedicated father when it comes to parenting.
Mothers have a built-in or instinctual method when it comes to parenting. Fathers have a slightly different way of doing things, and not all motherly methods can or should be applied by the dads. Here are some parenting tips for all you brave fathers out there, because we know, it sure ain’t a walk in the park:
If you know a single father (or mother), lend a hand whenever you can. If you’re really supportive, you can donate to 
A lot of work and effort goes into providing the right resources to fathers who have just been released from jail/prison. Once you are legally recognized as an offender many things change. Building Families Together’s resources are here to help you deal with those changes. The way people see and interact with you is different once you are out of prison. Because of the history of incarceration, it can hinder the process of finding employment, housing, and successful reentry.
Navigating this reentry process on your own can be terrifying. We know that no father wants to risk their chance of being re-incarcerated and taken away from their family. Allow us to guide you because we have dedicated individuals ready to serve. We help with employment opportunities, education, mental health, housing, house hold items, clothing, food, etc. In addition, we independently represent and work for you to find the best professionals resources that meet your individual needs.