PELHAM – At a City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 17, Mayor Gary Waters presented a proclamation declaring Sept. 24 as Family Day and Sept. 23-29 as Family Week in the city of Pelham.

The goal of Family Day and Family Week is to bring together communities across the state to celebrate the positive influence parents have on their kids. A proclamation read by Waters encourages all citizens to join together in observing this day and week by spending time with their families engaging in appropriate activities to honor and strengthen families.

Family Day is a national movement to celebrate parental engagement as an effective tool to help keep America’s children substance-free.

According to the proclamation, children who spend significant time with both parents show lower risks of suicide, high school dropout, teen pregnancy, incarceration and drug abuse. However, about 40,000 Alabama children each year experience court ordered visitation with one parent for only two to six days a month.

On Family Day and during Family Week, Kenneth Paschal, state president of the Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA), asked that families take the time to participate in simple daily activities together, such as sharing a meal, having a conversation or reading a book at bed time.

“These simple activities can have a major impact on a child’s life,” Paschal said. “Strong and engaged families help build a strong Alabama. A child whose parents are not engaged and involved in their upbringing and care is a child who is at-risk.”

Scientific data indicates that when both parents are actively involved in a child’s life, the outcome is measurably improved, according to the proclamation. Research shows that children with hands-on parents are far less likely to exhibit risky and disruptive behavioral problems.

The ALFRA also provides conversation starters parents can use to make the process easier. Some questions include: If you could choose any super power, what would it be and why, what was the nicest thing someone did for you today, if you could choose a new name what would it be, how would you get out of a situation where you were offered alcohol by your friends and what would you do if you observed a friend or family member texting while driving?

For more information, go to CASAfamilyday.org.