History

“In each family, a story is playing itself out, and each family’s story embodies its hope and its despair.”

-- Augustus Napier

As human beings, part of our connectedness has to do with our connection to the past. In strong families, there is a strong sense of family history.

Key Points

Strong families have a need for connection to the past - they have a history and are affected by that history. Family history provides roots - a sense of belonging.

Strong families have a sense of history that provides a sense of responsibility for many generations.

Family history can be promoted by:

telling favorite family stories;

teaching important events / activities to family members;

keeping up with family members when they move away;

going to family gatherings;

communicating through letters, emails, video tapes, audio tapes, etc.;

making sure children know their family members;

keeping family traditions alive; and

remembering special family vacations or outings.

The past influences the present in many ways. Things that may seem insignificant when they occur can turn out to have a profound influence on the family’s lives.

Strong families will often look at significant events that changed their life and how they influenced who they are today.