Resources for Positive Parenting

Building Family Strengths

This book of family activities includes a “Family Strengths Inventory” to help a family assess and build on its strengths or improve weaknesses. Research shows strong families share certain characteristics. Building Family Strengths will help a family develop those characteristics. Each chapter has several group activities that will strengthen your family as you work together. Most activities were developed for families with children between the ages of 8 and 18, but most can be done with children as young as five, provided an older family member does the reading.

Sample activity from Building Family Strengths – Do I Really Know You?

To order Building Families Strengths, go to the Publications Plus website.

Focus on Character Parent Fact Sheets

Developed to support Focus on Character (see Resources/Youth Groups on this website) these fact sheets provide a brief description of the character trait and examples of activities parents can use to help teach that character trait to their child.

Introduction to Character - English | Spanish
Respect - English | Spanish
Responsibility - English | Spanish
Fairness - English | Spanish
Caring - English | Spanish
Citizenship - English | Spanish
Ethical Decision Making - English | Spanish

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Pamphlet Set 1

Six pamphlets offer information for those who have become the caretaker or legal guardian of grandchildren. Available in English and Spanish.

1. When a Child Has Experienced Neglect or Abuse; Cuando un niño ha experimentado descuido a maltrato
2. Communication Is Important; La comunicación es importante
3. Child-Care Issues; Cuestiones del cuidado de los niños
4. Emotional Ups and Downs; Los altibajos emocionales
5. Helping Your Grandchildren Do Well in School; Cómo ayudar a sus nietos para que tengan éxito en la escuela
6. Time for You Is Important; Es importante tener tiempo para uno mismo

To order Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Pamphlet Set 1, go to the Publications Plus website.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Pamphlet Set 2

Five pamphlets that offer guidance for those who have become the caretaker or legal guardian of grandchildren. Set 2 is available only in English.

1. Teaching Money Skills
2. No More Fights About Food!
3. Setting Limits
4. Choosing a Parenting Style
5. The Teenage Years!

To order Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Pamphlet Set 2, go to the Publications Plus website.

Nibbles: Ideas for Familes

These fact sheets provide families with ideas to reinforce the positive character messages they work to teach their children everyday.

• Teaching Children Trustworthiness
• Raising Responsible Kids
• Little Citizens Learning Citizenship
• Learning to Care
• Learning to Respect
• Being Fair

TeRRiFiCC Teachable Moments: Families

This is a character development resource for families with at least one child from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade. Each booklet is a set of 75 activities with short (about 10-minute) hands-on, minds-on activities or mini-lessons meant to reinforce and encourage children to make positive character choices. The activities are categorized using the Six Pillars of Character—Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship—identified by the Josephson Institute of Ethics and used in CHARACTER COUNTS! programming. Each activity presents the behaviors, objectives, materials, and procedure for completing the activity. Additional helpful hints are also included for many activities. Available as a stand-up “flip-book” or searchable CD.

Sample from Terrific Teachable Moments: Families - It’s Still Valuable

To order Terrific Teachable Moments: Families, go to the Publications Plus website.