Tips for Celebrating National Family Week
and Making Connections Count
Participate in National Family Week. Start with Thanksgiving week, November 20-26, and honor the connections you have with your family and community.
- Get involved. Participate in local National Family Week activities.
- Extend your family. Plan a "family supper" with your neighbors or
help in a neighborhood improvement effort.
- Thank those who help. Write a thank-you note to someone who helps
your family, such as a day-care provider or someone who assists you with
errands.
- Your "connections"—whether family, friends, or neighbors—make your
family's life easier. Day-care providers, people who help you with errands,
next-door neighbors, or your special friends all deserve a thank-you during
National Family Week.
- Keep it simple and speak from your heart. Your letter doesn't have to be
long, complex, or even typed. Write a simple note, but be specific and think
of what you might like to receive in a thank-you letter. For example,
consider beginning the thank-you: "Do you know what I appreciate most about
you?" or "I like it when you..."
- Write now! National Family Week is a great time to get started. Once the
first letter is finished, you may find writing thank-you letters to those
who help make your life less hectic is a year-round activity.
- Be a volunteer. Volunteer your time with a nonprofit organization on
projects that benefit your community.
- Connect with the community. Select an issue in your community
important to your family, contact local officials, and ask how to get
involved.
- Take it to work. Encourage employers to consider family-friendly work
options, such as flexible hours and time off to attend school functions.
For more information, additional resources, and a list of National Family Week
activities taking place nationwide, visit www.nationalfamilyweek.org.
National Family Week: Connections Count is a nationwide
collaboration made possible by the Alliance for Children and Families and the
generous support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation.
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