Tips for Healthy Families MFSS believes in healthy families. It takes healthy families to make healthy babies. New moms and dads often feel overwhelmed when a new baby enters their lives. Babies don't come with instructions! It's important for babies to have secure, predictable surroundings. They need love and care from adults who can understand their cues and respond with appropriate care. MFSS programs offer a myriad of services to help parents learn about baby's needs and development, available community resources, and how to strengthen family relationships. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests: Make sure your child's immunizations are up to date. Provide your child with a tobacco-free environment (less ear infections and chest infections when home and car are smoke free zones). Read to your child every day. Practice safety on wheels (seat belts, proper use of care seats, helmets when cycling). Child proof your home. Monitor your child's access to media (less TV is better; no viewing of violent images). Pay more attention to nutrition (foods from several food groups at each meal; less processed foods). Become more involved in your child's school (what we value, they will value). Help your child feel loved and important (listen; tell them you love them, what is special about them, why you admire them). (Source: www.parentsoup.com) Principles of Family Support Practice "What We Believe" Staff and families work together in voluntary relationships based on equality and respect. Staff enhance families' capacity to support the growth and development of all family members-adults, youth and children. Families are resources to their own members, to other families, to programs and communities. Programs affirm and strengthen families' cultural, racial, ethnic and language identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicultural society. Programs are integrated into their communities and contribute to the community-building process. Programs advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive, and accountable to the families served. Staff work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources to support family development. Programs are flexible and continually responsive to emerging family and community issues. Principles of family support are modeled in all program activities, including planning, Board oversight, and administration.   Thanks to Family Support of America! Click to Visit Family Support of America: