Objective of the Solutions For Families Program
To Strengthen Families and Create a Kind, Peaceful Home Life Where
Families Live Together in Love, Harmony, and Unity
Goals
1. Assess the Family on Multiple Levels
This is achieved as each participating family completes the mandatory Family Survey, which is based on National Research Criteria. The Family Survey is located at the beginning of the Course Manual: Solutions For Families. (page 16)
2. Complete the Family Contract
This is achieved as each participating family member signs the Family Contract, which is a promise of participation throughout the entire Solutions For Families Program. (page 23) Note: Chapter Six is optional.
3. Hold Regular Family Meetings
Instructions and a sample meeting agenda are provided. The Solutions For Families lessons and activities are part of the Family Meeting during the time families participate in the Solutions For Families Program. (page 24)
4. Create a Family Goals Statement
This is achieved as each participating family creates their personal Family Goals Statement, using the instructions and example provided. (page 30)
5. Improve Parenting Skills
This is achieved as parents read and diligently apply the information found in the sections called “Introduction for Parents” at the beginning of each Chapter in the Solutions For Families Manual. If possible, both parents should read and discuss this information together. Every Chapter in the Manual has an “Introductions for Parents”; participants need to read these sections before beginning each Chapter. (Chapter Six is optional)
6. Strengthen Families as They Participate in the 24 Lessons in the Solutions For Families Manual (Chapter Six is optional)
This is achieved as families gather together weekly (or regularly) and fully engage in the teaching and learning of the family-strengthening principles provided. This includes full participation in the discussions, activities, and assignments. Families may choose from the suggested lesson activities and assignments; they don’t need to do them all. They need to follow specified directions in each lesson.
7. Parents: Learn Effective Discipline Techniques, Teaching Strategies, and Communication Skills
This is achieved by watching and discussing the Solutions For Families DVD called “Creating a Successful Family: Six Essential Steps” and applying its teachings.
8. Children: Learn Obedience, Respect, Commitment to Family, Good Communication Skills, Values, and more.
This is achieved by watching and discussing the Solutions For Families DVD called “Creating a Successful Family: Six Essential Steps” and applying its teachings.
Important Note for Parents and Children:
The “Creating a Successful Family” DVD should be watched as an entire family – all together – either one Step at a time or watched all in one sitting. Afterwards, families need to discuss each one of the Six Steps:
• Create a Loving Atmosphere
• Organize Your Family
• Commit Your Time and Heart
• Communicate Positively
• Teach Correct Principles
• Discipline Effectively
During discussion of each Step, answer these two questions:
• What did we learn about in Step #1? (2,3,4,5,6)
• What can we do in our family to improve in this area? (Goals can be written and worked on, if you wish; this is optional.)
9. To Improve Additional Parenting Skills
This is achieved as parents carefully read and study the “Parent’s Guide: Child-Raising Instructions You Always Wanted”. Parents need to read and discuss this Guide together and then discuss its contents with a Solutions For Families Facilitator.
10. To Increase the Level of Love Shown in the Family
This is achieved as each family member opens his and her heart and sincerely tries their best to do whatever is necessary to be more kind to family members – in thought, in word, in tone of voice, and in their actions – each day.
Upon completion of the entire Solutions For Families Program, and upon recommendation of a Certified Solutions For Families Facilitator, families will receive their Solutions For Families National Certification.
This Certification indicates to all interested parties that the families who achieved this Award:
• Have demonstrated their willingness and desire to eliminate dysfunctional behavior and make significant improvements in their lives.
• Have read, listened, studied, learned, and tried their very best to apply the principles taught in the Solutions For Families Program.
• Have personally (each family member) worked diligently to make personal improvements and will continue to do so.
• Will strive, to the best of their ability, to turn from all negative behavior and apply the family-strengthening principles they’ve learned in the Solutions For Families Program.
Family-Strengthening Principles Taught in the
Solutions For Families Program
The Process and Principles Taught in Solutions For Families: 24 Lessons to Strengthen Relationships at Home
Families first assess their strengths and weaknesses through a FAMILY SURVEY that includes:
• Family Survey Instructions
• Family Survey
• Family Survey Results
• Family Goals (created from the Family Survey Results)
Families then sign a FAMILY CONTRACT committing each family member to whole-heartedly participate in the Solutions For Families Program.
Families learn about the importance of holding a FAMILY MEETING. All the parts of a family meeting and examples are included.
Families create a FAMILY GOALS STATEMENT. Detailed instructions and examples are included.
Each Chapter includes an “Introduction For Parents” with information to help parents improve their parenting skills and to help them prepare for the lessons that follow.
Every Solutions For Families lesson includes:
• Follow Up (from the previous lesson)
• Concept (an explanation of the principle in easy-to-understand terms)
• Family Survey Review (to help families work on the goals they created earlier)
• Story
• Discussion
• Activity
• Assignment
Solutions For Families Manual: Six Chapters; 24 Lessons
Kindness
1. Kind Thoughts
2. Kind Words
3. Kind Tone of Voice
4. Kind Actions
Commitment
5. Commit Your Time
6. Goals
7. Service
8. Traditions
Communication
9. Understand First
10. Positive Words
11. Listening
12. Open Communication
Choices
13. Responsibility
14. Rules and Consequences
15. Problem Prevention
16. Problem Solving
Well-Being
17. Physical Well-Being
18. Mental Well-Being
19. Social Well-Being
20. Financial Well-Being
OPTIONAL: Spirituality
21. Believe
22. Pray
23. Worship
24. Share
Principles Taught in the DVD “Creating a Successful Family: Six Essential Steps”
Step One: Create a Loving Atmosphere
• Express your love
• Speak with a kind tone of voice
• Eliminate criticism
• Maintain cleanliness in the home
• Create a family-centered environment
• Enjoy traditions
Step Two: Organize Your Family
• Create a Family Mission Statement
• Set goals
• Calendar activities
• Have a daily schedule
• Assign chores
• Decide on family rules
• Teach lessons
Step Three: Commit Your Time and Heart
• Parents love each other
• Make family a high priority
• Participate in a family hobby
• Compliment and be supportive
• Serve one another
Step Three: Communicate Positively
• Eliminate negative talk
• Promote a good self-image and positive self-talk
• Apologize and forgive easily
• Communicate deeply, one-on-one
• Try to understand; point out the positive; actively listen
Step Four: Teach Correct Values
• Teach responsibility for choices
• Teach values from a child’s earliest years
• Teach by example
• Teach through lessons and stories
• Teach by asking “What If?”
• Find alternatives to excessive television
Step Five: Discipline Effectively
• Share ownership of rules and consequences
• Use logical consequences
• Simplify rules and explain reasons
• Offer choices
• Use preventive parenting
• Give and expect respect
• Allow failure sometimes
• Encourage worthwhile activities and good friends
• Tune in to your teenager
• Be firm, consistent, and loving
Principles Taught in the Parent’s Guide: Child-Raising Instructions You Always Wanted
1. Ten Characteristics of a Happy, Successful Child
2. Ways to Raise Loving and Appreciative Children and to Help Them Feel Loved (includes valuable disciplining techniques that work)
3. Teach Your Child to Have a Joyful, Positive Attitude
4. Teach Kindness, Obedience, Respect, Responsibility, and Compassion
5. Teach Children to Communicate Well (includes the Five Keys to Great Communication)
6. Help Children Maintain Close Relationships with Family
7. Help Children Make Wise and Moral Choices
8. Help Your Children Create Healthy Habits
9. Help Your Children Enjoy Learning
10. Seven Ways to Help Your Children Create Great Self Confidence
11. Help Your Children Have Physical, Mental, Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being
12. Life-Changing Strategies for Immediate Results (more disciplining techniques that work)
13. Five Things That Keep You Close to Your Teenagers
14. How to Eliminate Whining and Negative Talk in Your Home
15. How to Improve Your Marriage Relationship…Tonight!
16. Three Steps to Diffuse Any Angry Person
17. Three Ways to Make Discipline a Positive Experience
18. How to Eliminate Criticism and Sarcasm
19. Two Things to Tell Children Every Day to Teach Them Kindness and Good Manners
20. Three Things You Can Do to Insure a Healthier Marriage Than You’ve Ever Had
21. How to Create Family Unity
22. How to Unplug the Power of Toxic Personalities and Live Peacefully
23. How to Have Successful 15 Minute Weekly Family Meetings
24. How to Release Yourself from Damaging Beliefs and Self-Defeating Thoughts
25. Articles (Contributed by family experts) “Ten Keys to Rearing Successful Children” and “Work in the Home: Building Enduring Relationships”.
ALSO INCLUDED: BOOK OF VALUES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
Chapter 1
Attitude
Cheerfulness
Optimism
Humor
Patience
Chapter 2
Commitment
Determination
Overcoming Adversity
Endurance
Perseverance
Chapter 3
Friendship
Forgiveness
Encouragement
Cooperation
Fairness
Teamwork
Chapter 4
Giving
Generosity
Unselfishness
Charity
Service
Chapter 5
Good Choices
Integrity
Leadership
Belief
Courage
Chapter 6
Good Judgment
Wisdom
Thrift
Self-discipline
Chapter 7
Learning
Creativity
Chapter 8
Honesty
Trustworthiness
Dependability
Chapter 9
Love
Caring
Empathy
Kindness
Gratitude
Chapter 10
Respect
Listening
Tolerance
Courtesy
Humility
Modesty
Chapter 11
Responsibility
Work
Excellence
Obedience
Achievement
Chapter 12
Self-Worth/Self-Respect
Cleanliness
Individuality
Confidence
ALSO INCLUDED – PAULA’S LESSONS ON FAMILIES AND PARENTING
- Three things Parents Should Tell Children Every Day
- Practically Perfect Parenting
- The 12 Laws to Create Wealth, Starting Today
- Resolving Conflicts with Teenagers
- Sibling Rivalry
- Six Parenting Solutions
- How to Deal with Disobedient Teenagers
- How to Deal with Passive Aggressive Teenagers
- Happy Families Have Rules and Consequences
- Teaching Children How to Make Responsible Decisions
- A Family “To Do” List
- A solution for Discontent Young Mothers
- Parenting Tip for Negative Self-Talk
- How to Create an Amazing Marriage
- Paula’s Favorite Poem: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
- Five Keys to Loving Life at Any Age
- Tools that Build Happy, Confident Children
- How to Help Children Improve Their Feelings of Self-Worth
- How to Reflect Joy in Your Self-Mirror
- How to Teach and Show Kindness in Your Home