There is no one right way to raise children; many different approaches can work. By the same token, there is no one best kind of family Children can thrive with a mother and father, with a mother or father alone, with grandparents or foster parents, with two mothers or two fathers, or as part of large extended families.

Families that don't fit the typical mom and pop mode often face special challenges. They may have to battle prejudice, and it can be hard to find an accepting community. They may also have to consciously ensure that their children are exposed to a full range of people and experiences. For example, in families with gay or lesbian parents, it may take some planning to ensure what the children have a chance to develop close relationships with caring adults of both sexes.

In families with children adopted from overseas, it may take planning to ensure that the children are exposed to their cultures of origin. In families with two busily employed parents, it may take planning to ensure that the children grow up with a sense of belonging to a community. Good parenting means planning for your children's needs; that's true in all families.

There are other challenges that are harder to overcome, like poverty, parental mental illness and addiction, and violence in the community and at home. Another set of special challenges are chronic illness and development problems in the children themselves. There are few families that are not touched, in some degree or another, by such forces. Still, most parents manage, through love and courage, to overcome these hurdles. And the children they raise often reflect those same wonderful qualities, challenges and the strengths that parents, families and children bring to the task of growing up healthy and whole.