North Davis Communities that Care–Family Protection

BY VIVIANA FELIX

All families have their own strengths and face unique challenges. When life gets hard, or we are under stress, it may take a little extra help to get through our daily tasks. Parents can practice protective factors to help support their family unit by tapping into their strengths and resources when life gets hard. With children out of school and families trying to balance summer routines and schedules, we all need a little reminder that parenting is about learning and adjusting. Here are three things parents can practice this summer to build protection around their children: Family is one of the biggest areas of protection for children that can result in healthy and happy adults in the future. Building on these strengths is a proven way to keep a family strong and improve a child’s well-being.

Protective Factor/Definition Example Activity

Nurture & Attachment

Families show how much they love each other.

Parental Resilience

A parent recognizes they are under stress and are able to bounce back from challenges.

Social & Emotional Support for Children

A child knows they are loved, feels they belong, and is kind to others.

• Take time every day to connect with your child—a hug, a smile, a meal, or a few minutes of talking and listening.

• Find ways to connect with your child while completing everyday tasks such as cooking, grocery shopping, or driving in the car.

• Surround yourself with people who support you and make you feel good about yourself as a parent.

• Take quiet time to re-energize—take a bath, drink a cup of tea, or go for a walk.

• Talk with your child about how important feelings are.

• Provide regular routines, especially for young children. Make sure other caregivers are aware of routines around mealtime, naps, and bedtime.