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I like to quote things like Disney movies and famous people. Benjamin Franklin is credited with one of my favorite and most-used quotes. What is that, you say? I’m glad you asked! 

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It means it’s easier (and usually more cost-effective) to prevent something than it is to fix it once it’s busted. Think brakes on your car. It’s much cheaper to replace worn brake pads than to turn or replace rotors. Go ahead, look it up. 

But this statement doesn’t just apply to automobile maintenance. It’s the same way with helping mold children into confident, loving adults who positively contribute to society. When families spend time together building good memories and having fun, more is happening than meets the eye. When parents spend quality time and engage with their children, any of the socially-recognized, scientifically-proven preventative factors to prevent child abuse are fostered, namely, environments that provide: nurturing and attachment, positive child and youth development, social connections, support for parents, and healthy social and emotional competence for children (childwelfare.org). 

Does this sound familiar? It should! It’s what  My Discovery Destination! and the Discovery Family Coalition (a community collaboration that brings all community sectors together to build strong families, the lead organization of which is My Discovery Destination!) has been helping with since its inception. It is our mission “to strengthen families.” How? “Providing opportunities for FREE Family Fun and connecting parents with programs, resources, and information that help them acquire the skills necessary to raise loving, responsible, resilient children.”

Strong families are the best protective factor to prevent child abuse. April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 2022, Utah started calling April Strengthening Families Month–perhaps focusing more on the positive, proactive side. My Discovery Destination! understands. My Discovery Destination! has a unique, easy, and FREE way to provide Family Adventures that foster an environment in which families grow together. These Adventures promote bonding and attachment and teach important parenting skills to help parents recognize that spending time with their children DOES make a difference.


The best part? The Discovery Family Adventures work to improve your family while it looks like all you’re doing is having fun! It’s a great way to embody Utah’s preferred title of Strengthening Families Month. We take our mission so seriously that we invite all those who have and want to collaborate with us to join the Discovery Family Coalition. Also, feel free to borrow ready-made graphics from our We CAN and Parent Protective Factors Campaigns that will allow you to promote Family Strengthening Month online and through social media.

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