By Amy Tichy
Parent Resource Center coordinator

Building strong families—it’s what most parents want to do.
In their report “Building Strong Families”  Search Institute and the YMCA surveyed 1,005 parents in the United States. The majority of those surveyed said they felt successful as parents most of the time.  Unfortunately, the parents of many families are scrutinized by the public for what they’re not doing and what they’re doing wrong.
This image is so common that in “The Possible Dream,”  another Search Institute study, many lower-income families didn’t even know how much they were already doing for their children.
That’s why parents appreciate the strength-based approach of asset building, an approach which looks at positive aspects. It can provide new motivation and be a helpful tool in identifying and building on the strengths of their children and their families.  But even though parents are doing a good job, that doesn’t mean they should do it alone.
Parenting provides a lot of challenges, and not every parent can answer every question that comes along the way. The “Building Strong Families” report also found that most parents are going it alone. Only 36 percent said it was very true that they turned to immediate or extended family for support. And only 20 percent said it was very true that they turned to friends for support. Just think of all the opportunities for help in your parenting: mothers, sisters, dads, uncles, and friends.
There are also trusted individuals within supportive institutions such as schools and places of worship. Parents shouldn’t feel afraid to ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s merely acknowledging that a variety of supportive relationships can help your child grow to be a well-rounded individual who feels a great deal of love and support from  her or his world.
Helping to build support systems for parents is a goal of the Barnes and Stutsman County Parent Resource Center. In today’s world it is not uncommon for families to live far from family members that would typically serve as part of a support network and busy lives can make it difficult to meet other parents.
The Circle of Parents group provides an opportunity to get together with others in a parenting role to discuss specific issues, get new ideas, ask questions and simply meet others facing the same joys and challenges of parenting. This group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Head Start in Valley City. Upcoming dates are Feb. 28 and March 13 and 27. Dinner and childcare are provided. Registration is requested and can be made by calling the Parent Resource Center, located at Barnes County Extension Service office, at 845-8528.