P A R E N T   T O   P A R E N T

Family Commitment  

by Jodee Kulp
www.betterendings.org

Our family is constantly changing. New children come and we move over and open up our hearts. We needed a mission statement for our family and for the young people we care so much for so that they and we were clear of family expectations.

• Keep our young people safe.

• Focus on positives rather than negatives.

• Respect individuality in each person.

• Allow freedoms as responsibility, judgment, new skills and talents develop.

• Show we value each person’s work and provide opportunity for learning.

• Not criticize or squelch a person's enthusiasm though we may need to redirect it.

• Help each other to deal with failure and bounce back without being devastated.

• Talk about each person’s strengths and figure out ways to maximize them.

• Provide support systems.