Families Talk About
Set of 9 videos
$490
Running Time: various
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
Buy entire set for
$490
and
save $ 140
This 9-part video series was designed specifically for young, urban, racially diverse parents. It provides great role-modeling, showing that with caring and involved parenting, a strong family can survive even in the harshest environments. These are "real people" not actors.
Part 1: Bonding With Your Baby
takes us into the homes of four young families (both single and married couples) with new babies. Viewers learn what bonding is, how to help good bonding develop, and why bonding is so crucial to infants.
Watch Preview
Quicktime
Total running time
16 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 2: Education Starts At Home
teaches by example. It emphasizes the importance of fostering self-esteem, reading to children, managing TV time, and staying involved with the schools. Viewers learn how to turn everyday home activities into positive learning experiences for their children.
Watch Preview
Quicktime
Total running time
24 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 3: Wise Words on Discipline
finds the parents talking honestly about the challenges of raising children to respect others and know right from wrong in an environment where surrounding crime, poverty and peer pressure all pull their children in negative directions. Parents learn to discipline children without trashing their self-esteem and effective alternatives to spanking.
Total running time
18 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 4: Fathers Matter
introduces us to urban fathers - married, single and divorced - who reflect on what it means to be a father, and their influence on the next generation. Through great role modeling, this program inspires viewers to meet the challenges and opportunities of fathering in this changing society. “Fathers Matter” includes interviews with: Alton, a divorced African-American father of two, shares his insights on putting the children first, making tough choices and financial sacrifices, and hanging in there when the going gets tough. Don, a married African-American father of five, emphasizes the importance of paying attention to his children’s school work and their social development. Todd, a divorced white father of two boys, speaks about the multifaceted role of being a father. Simon, the married father of two boys, emigrated as a child from the Dominican Republic. His comments focus on the role of fathers, how he tries to do better than his own father and what he wants to pass on to his sons. Felder, a single African-American father of one son, talks about how he overcame his addictions, attended father support groups, and gained custody of his son (who had been in foster care).
Total running time
19 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 5: Encourage Positive Activities
features married and single parents talking about the importance of healthy activities such as music, sports, daily chores and family fun time. They advise parents to be consistent, helping children learn to stick with something through difficult times. Such activities teach skills, improve school performance, build confidence and steer children away from negative influences.
Total running time
18 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 6: Single Parenting
lets us hear from solo urban parents about the pressures in their family structures and how they've overcome obstacles. They offer ideas and possible solutions to issues such as discipline, role models, family support and dating.
Total running time
18 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 7: Marriage
Marriage is discussed candidly by four couples, from different backgrounds. They talk about the challenges to their relationships, how they work together to parent their children (and grandchildren), and the value of outside support systems. They also share their tips for keeping the marriage alive and strong. The program is in five segments: The Challenge of Marriage; Support Systems; Marriage and Children; Marriage and Community; Keeping Marriage Strong. The families include: Precious and George, married 5 years. They have a daughter together and George also has children from a previous marriage. They acknowledge the fact that arguments happen in any marriage, and point out how they model positive conflict-resolution skills to their daughter. Margarita and Eugene, married 32 years with one son. They discuss the importance of open communication and accepting each other's feelings. They also explain what they learned from rearing their son and how that has changed their approach with their grandchildren. Barbara and Curtis, married 21 years with three children. "Grandma" also now lives with the family. Curtis (a retired Marine) and Barbara discuss the importance of working as a team to raise their children. Barbara fondly recalls romantic gestures Curtis has made over the years. Marwan and Colleen, married 16 years with one son. They discuss how maintaining their individual interests and friends has strengthened their marriage over the years. They also talk about the need for trust in a relationship.
Total running time
19 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 8: Foster Parents
discuss why they decided to foster children, how they handle the challenges they face, the effect foster parenting has had on their families, and the rewards of helping children in crisis. Featuring: Nicole and Steve, who have adopted three of their former foster children and currently foster two. They discuss how they deal with the anger often expressed by foster children. They also talk about the importance of being a strong advocate for their children. William and Xanthe, who have six biological children and have fostered more than 20 over the years. They discuss building a positive relationship with the biological mother by reassuring her that her child is healthy and safe. Melanie, the single mother of three biological children and four adopted former foster children. Melanie admits that not every foster relationship works out, and discusses calling the caseworker for help with a teen. Susan and Peter, who have a biological child, an adopted child, and two foster children. They discuss the anxiety they felt when they first considered foster parenting
Watch Preview
Quicktime
Total running time
18 minutes minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
Part 9: Grandparents as Parents
In this revealing video, real people talk about becoming the primary caretakers of their grandchildren. They discuss issues such as establishing a support network, adapting their parenting style for a new generation, breaking the cycle, and planning for the future. Features interviews with grandparents including Karen, whose grandchildren have severe learning disabilities due to their mother's drug addiction. Also features Ruby and Gene, who have reared their grandson Derrick since his birth. They discuss the problems that arise when Derrick's mother periodically reappears in his life, and their battle to obtain legal custody of their grandson. Comes with discussion questions and public performance rights.
Total running time
28 minutes
DVD
VHS
English
Spanish
$70
