Families: A Garden, Desert, or A Jungle Tanya RY

Conflict in our families is inevitable, but contention is not. Make time to discuss conflicts using trust, respect, active listening, validating, cooperation, empathy, and humor. Doing this will build a community of belonging in your family.

It is important that media use be step by step and intentional, not accidental in families. This involves preparing ahead of time instead of reacting when situations arise. Are you controlling the technology or letting the technology control you? Create media more than you consume media! And above all, keep family lines of communication open and respect your parents, “they passed school without Google!”

Intentional timing and scheduling of physical exercise at regular intervals for your family will strengthen the heart of your family, improve family endurance and optimize overall family health. Get moving together and have fun!

How well was your family connected? Not in the usual sense of money and power, but social capital could lead to that, but in the way of connected to other people? Social Capital refers to the institutions, relationships, and norms that shape the quality and quantity of a family and society's social interactions– it is the glue that holds us all together!

Are there worms in your soil? Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage your own emotions and understand the emotions of those around you while responding in appropriate ways. It is a dynamic aspect of our psyche and, when worked upon, can yield significant benefits in our lives and families!

Not only is music fun to listen too, but music instruction accelerates brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language development, math, speech perception and reading skills. Music also helps regulate emotion and encourages focus and discipline. Get out there, light a fire, stimulate endorphins, and learn some music!