National Family Month

What is National Family Month®?


KidsPeace believes that kids grow in the context of supportive relationships. Children are helped most by people closest to them, and family is the single most powerful support system for kids, particularly mothers and fathers. With over a century of experience, KidsPeace knows that kids from strong and supportive families are more resilient in life and more likely to succeed.

National Family Month is an important step toward building a nation of confident kids and growing stronger and healthier families. The celebration was created by KidsPeace to raise awareness and underscore the importance of family -- kids, mothers, fathers, relatives and caregivers -- and to encourage supporting one another. Child-development experts have described "family" as "someone who has a strong emotional attachment to another." National Family Month provides an opportunity for families to share special time together, to develop or renew relationships, identify or rediscover needs, to remind everyone of the importance of family involvement in raising healthy, confident kids for America's future.

This Year's Themes

HONORING AMERICA’S GRANDPARENTS
Few people are aware of a recent startling shift in family dynamics, but grandparents are the primary caregivers for nearly six million children in this country – and the numbers are growing. In fact, 75 percent of all non-parental care of children in America is now provided by grandparents. To focus the nation’s attention on this phenomenon and provide grandparents with the recognition they deserve, the national children’s charity KidsPeace, Humana, Mattel, Beaches Resorts and GRAND Magazine are launching the third annual national search for an example of extraordinary care worthy of the title of GRANDparent of the Year. Any member of the American public can nominate a GRANDparent of the Year. Nominating forms are available in the May/June issue of GRAND Magazine and online at www.grandmagazine.com . Children should use the kid-safe site www.grandcontest.com .

OPENING YOUR HEART AND YOUR HOME TO A CHILD IN NEED
Got extra love to share? Think about creating a family or expanding the one you’ve got. May is also National Foster Care Awareness Month and more than 600,000 children nationwide currently need foster homes. Unfortunately, the number of foster homes falls far short of meeting the need. A supportive, caring foster family can give kids a sanctuary where they can be safe, heal from their emotional scars, and experience a sense of home and family they may never have had before. The face of foster care is changing, with older children, youngsters with disabilities, and kids who not only need a loving home but help to overcome crises such as abuse. To learn more about foster care and adoption, or find events in your area, go to www.kidspeace.org , www.fostercare.com , or www.fostercaremonth.org .

KEEPING THE FAMILY MEMBERS YOU ALREADY HAVE AND LOVE SAFE Americans work hard to protect their children, but child abuse and neglect remain at unacceptably high levels with nearly 900,000 U.S. youngsters hurt each year. Since many of even the best-intentioned parents don’t know how to prevent abuse and the conditions under which it may come about, the 125-year-old national children’s crisis charity KidsPeace is offering FREE downloadable information packets called, “24 Ways You Can Prevent Child Abuse….Before it Starts.” Get two dozen simple yet effective tips to make your home safe, give your child trust and build communication, give your child independence, and give your child self-esteem.


	Grass roots organizations, clubs, schools, day cares, libraries and other groups across the country are celebrating National Family Month in their communities, and families are finding ways to spend meaningful time with each other. Members of the 105^th United States Congress have passed House Concurrent Resolution #302 recognizing the importance of children and families and expressing support for the goals of National Family Month. The event is also listed in Chase's official national directory of holidays.

Clinical studies indicate that the weeks prior to summer is a significant time period for families, and often when crises occur as kids prepare to conclude the school year and families adjust to being together again more often. Celebrated annually from Mother's Day to Father's Day, National Family Month was created by KidsPeace not merely as a national observance, but as a vital annual event to focus on family relationships during this critical period, providing a specific opportunity for parents, grandparents or caregivers to be involved in the lives of their children.