"The Greatest work you'll ever do will be within the walls of your own home." (Family First Video)

"Our families are our greatest source of strength, support and confidence."(Oprah show)

"Family is where you know you're the most important person in the world."

"Home is where you know you're always welcome"

"Our families should be our greatest source of happiness." (Family First Video)

One of the most important responsibilities one has is to raise a family. Many roles are taken by a parent: teacher, mentor, advisor, historian, mediator, etc. Here are a few activities that will help bring your family together:

1. Communications - Have monthly communication meetings to discuss anything, starting with activities to make the house run smoother and harmonious. Everyone has a responsibility.

2. Fun Time - Get together at least once a week to do something as a family; tell stories, go to a movie, play games, have a picnic. This is different from the communication meeting but may be used for that purpose as well. Fun time is the key here.

3. Family History - Insure that family history is communicated by telling stories, reviewing old pictures, publishing newsletters and consulting with the elders.

4. Reunions - Hold regular family reunions in order to get to know extended family members from out of town, share the same stories, build memories and lasting bonds.

5. Traditions - Celebrate family traditions and rituals such as birthdays, outings to the orchard each fall to pick apples, holiday gatherings and religious ceremonies.

6. Counseling - Give sound advice on formal basis regarding virtues and proper behavior. The communications meeting could have a portion of time set aside for this purpose.

7. Health - Teach good health habits by being an example of eating the right foods, in portions that do not stuff, absence of fat, plenty of bulk, etc. Exercise and include the children; this could be something as simple as taking a walk on a regular basis or playing touch football with The kids.

8. Love Your Spouse - Show a loving relationship with your spouse by the way you treat the loved one, what you say, the kind things you do; bringing home flowers or candy; going out to dinner; saying "I love you."

9. Visual Record - Take plenty of pictures; build a photo album of events, special occasions and vacations.

10. Listen - Be patient and listen carefully and with care to children especially when they are young and can't express themselves very well. Many times they can't say what is really on their minds. So you may need to repeat what they have said to let them know that you understand. Your actions will also demonstrate that you understand.

11. Family Tree - Do genealogical research of your family. Prepare a family tree with the kids help. Keep information up to date (by attending family reunions and publishing and acquiring other family newsletters).

12. Money - Teach your children about saving money. Open up a savings account at a bank or credit union. Have them monitor the progress of their savings.

13. Read - Read to your children every night and read together when they have the skills. Discuss the ideas mentioned in the stories and share feelings and reactions.

14. Recreation - Play competitive sports together. Success in our society is based on competition and the sooner they learn about rules, teamwork, success and failure and how to comeback and excel, the better they will bet able to survive in the real world.

15. Work - Part-time work is an excellent opportunity to learn how business works. Here they can develop skills and habits that will be invaluable on and off the job.

16. Travel - Make family outings a learning experience. Travel frequently to places for fun as well as to learn history or to a museum of art or science exploratory museum for hands on learning and fun. Then discuss your trip when you return.

Something to think about:

Children need caring and nurturing and children need challenge and accomplishment. These are the primary ingredients for "self esteem" and success in childhood development.

For your entire family, "random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" also apply.

Resources:

1. Book: "101 Things You Can Do For Our Children's Future" from Anchor Books by calling 1-888-884-1200. This book can be accessed in it's entirety on the "Kid's Campaign" Internet Site.

2. Article: "40 Simple Ways to Teach Your Children Manners" by Ann E. LaForge, Child Magazine.

3. Book: "Bring Up a Moral Child" by Michael Schulman (Addison-Wesley, $14.95 paperback).