tems. Home base represents the perspective from which family
members learn to view and interact with the world. It represents
an extension of the family home where members interact with life
as representatives of the family team. The family decision-makers
including parents, custodial or non-custodial caretakers, or elder
siblings are presented as the managers and coaches whose jobs
are to work together to prepare the team to successfully navigate
life’s opposing forces as productive contributors to the family
team and the game.
The opposing team represents past, present, or potential life
events that cause familial distress. These events may be positive
or negative, acute or chronic, anticipated or unforeseen. The opposing team dugout represents the line-up of possible life scenarios, and the pitcher’s mound represents the place from which
opposition is launched. Metaphorically, the object is for the team
to face the opposition and round
all their life bases to score despite
opposition. In other words, families learn to work together to reach
individual and family-life goals by
turning opposition into opportunity. Team members understand
that no matter what happens when
facing opposition, whether they
score or strike out, they can always
return home to regroup and prepare in a safe environment until
the next time at bat.
The SAFE at Home Base facilitator-trainer represents the home
plate umpire. The facilitator-trainer is responsible for “calling the
plays” to ensure the group agenda remains focused and on schedule, and is primary presenter of class topics, information and discussion. As umpire, the facilitator-trainer interacts objectively
with families to ensure that the class is a safe environment for
family members to bond, celebrate, and approach painful topics
as needed. Additionally, the facilitator-trainer may interrupt conflicts, maintain order, and help families strategize ways to best
apply concepts to address opposition.
power when each member is able to let that relationship transcend to the family unit.
Families don’t fall out of love. Maybe couples fall in or out of
love, but relationships forged by blood and spirit are connected
down through generations. Life situations can lead to conflicts
that strain these relationships (stress, financial problems, illness,
break-ups, separation, divorce, death, legal problems, addictions, etc.). People may start acting out to get their way, or
doing things that threaten to break the family down. People
may get mad at each other and get so caught up in the argument that they put the love on hold for a while, but family will
always be family.
Sometimes families need to be reminded that they love each
other. When couples with children separate, they need a reminder that they share a common love—their children.
Researchers say that being together
gives families strength. God says
strengths overcome weaknesses
and the strong cover the weak with
their strength to make the unit
strong. Researchers say love is healing and brings acceptance and unconditional positive regard. God
says love covers a multitude of
faults. Researchers say that perspective and perception shape attitudes as either positive or
negative, and attitude determines direction. God says that vision determines destiny, and the God-kind of faith r