Keeping Close Through Adolescence and Beyond

Even though your teenager is growing up, and in a sense, growing away, there are still ways you can reaffirm and maintain family unity -- now and in the future. How can you do this?

• Face your problems together as a family. Don't let denial or blame come between you. Facing pain together can enhance your closeness.

• Let happy memories lead you back to positive feelings about each other. Recalling happy memories can make a wonderful difference when you're in the middle, or aftermath, of a crisis. Remembering when you felt warm, loving and connected can be a unifying factor.

• Give family time top priority -- even though you're all busy.

• Get to know each other in new ways. Share feelings, stories of the past, dreams for the future.

• Get involved in causes and altruistic activities as a family.

• Finally, let family rituals, from traditions to nicknames bring you together again and again. Rituals are unifying. They can be shortcuts to good feelings, close ties and happy memories.

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