Discover A New Approach to Positive Parenting Internationally known family therapist and parenting expert Judy Ford knows a thing or two about family relationships. After all, she’s a parent herself and offers advice and insight for all kinds of parents. Family life isn’t easy. It’s a never-ending journey that is certainly rewarding in the end. Wonderful Ways To Be a Family gives you Ford’s tried and true approach to what it means to be a family. Inspirational messages coupled with expert advice creates the ultimate parenting guide. Refreshingly honest. From raising kids to marriage, it isn’t a smooth task, yet Ford’s accessible and friendly style offers practical suggestions and helpful advice for every situation imaginable. Gain support and knowledge with: Real-Life examples of how to handle conflict - Inspirational stories filled with encouraging messages and lessons - Professional advice on a variety of scenarios Whether you’re a new parent or a veteran, Wonderful Ways to Be a Family offers a combination of professional and practical guidance that any parent can apply to their family dynamic. If you enjoyed books like How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk , The Explosive Child , or How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide , then you’ll love Wonderful Ways to Be a Family . With over half a million copies of her books in print, Judy Ford , M.S.W. is the bestselling author of Conari's Wonderful Ways books, which include Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen , Wonderful Ways to Love a Child , Wonderful Ways to Be a Family , Wonderful Ways to Love a Grandchild , and Wonderful Ways to Be a Stepparent . She is also the coauthor with her daughter Amanda of Between Mother & Daughter , she lives in Washington state. Wonderful Ways to be a Family By Judy Ford Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC Copyright © 1998 Judy Ford All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-57324-295-0 Contents An Enormous Bag of SkillsLiving with Love and Laughter QuizForewordHelp One AnotherProvide a Safe HavenCommit Yourself CompletelyCreate a Team IdentityChoose a Cooperative Parenting StyleLead with IntegrityAllow for UpsetTalk About What's Troubling YouHang a Suggestion BoxBe Willing to Be WrongGet over Grudges QuicklyBe Willing to Make WavesBrainstorm for SolutionsEstablish Sensible GuidelinesKeep Rules FlexibleFace the EnemyEnforce What Needs to Be EnforcedIgnore the Small StuffCurb Harsh WordsNegotiate at the Peace BenchWillingly Patch Things UpTalk About What Truly MattersPut Your Accent on Inner BeautyAlways Make the Highest ChoiceUse the Creative ApproachCut Back on SpendingTeach Social Graces and Good SportsmanshipLiven Up Your RoutinePlant a Family GardenLet Go of the OutcomeCelebrate with One AnotherBehave in a Friendly FashionBe LightheartedAdmit Your QuirksAppreciate FeelingsLighten the Atmosphere with LaughterBestow Affection DailyWelcome Bad Moods TooAdd a Healthy Dose of ExcitementTake PicturesPermit DowntimeGrant the Freedom to GrowMake Work and Chores MeaningfulGreet One Another with a Smile and Cheery HelloBe Generous with AppreciationEncourage Natural TalentsTurn Off the TelevisionEat Your Meals OutdoorsExtend Your Family CircleFrolic, Romp, and PlayCherish One AnotherAdjust Your Attitude as NeededPull Together in Tough TimesRespect Your EldersCherish the Little OnesHonor the In-Be-TweenersStrive for UnderstandingBelieve in One AnotherReminisceStay Connected While ApartIncorporate SilenceRespond with WarmthDo No HarmTouch Only with LoveLift Each Other UpGive Lasting GiftsFind Your Spiritual FootingSimplify to Be TogetherCelebrate Precious MomentsProvide a Loving PresenceBe Grateful for Your LessonsAbout the Author CHAPTER 1 Help One Another A harmonious family is possible. It should be your goal, because it provides thebest opportunity for everyone to grow. Provide a Safe Haven The very first thing that you can do for your family is to provide a safe placeto be together—a resting spot, a peaceful sanctuary, a home. It doesn't matterif your safe haven is a mansion with a private bathroom for every person or asmall apartment with one tiny bath. The only absolute requirement is that yourhome be safe. A place where, at the beginning and end of each day, familymembers gather to relax, put their feet up, and let their hair down, knowingthat they're surrounded by people who care and in whom they can trust. Your home is your collective retreat from the world where each of you canrestore your soul and renew your energy so that everyone— young or old—has thevigor, spunk, and eagerness to face another day. Your home should be clean, but not necessarily neat. Active families are doingthings, and wherever there are kids and pets, artists and geniuses, at work andat play, there's bound to be clutter and dust balls. Organization and neatnessare handy but a comfortable home full of positive energy will serve your familybest. Especially for many women, it's easy to get so cau