Clear definitions of family and the philosophy of family-centered care (FCC) are critical to the foundation of the concepts presented in this chapter. The chapter explains the issues families face during this challenging time using a role theory. Factors that influence parenting behaviors include personal experiences, medical and nursing staff expectations, environmental conditions, and peer relationships. These factors can either promote or interfere with the development of intact family unit. The birth of a critically ill newborn complicates the attachment process as well as the learning of parenting skills. The chapter provides an evidence-based framework for understanding what families need in terms of true support in the neonatal setting. It presents several different models of family-centered care. The chapter concludes with evidence-based FCC strategies that support optimal family functioning during the NICU experience and promote the discharge of intact families as the crisis of newborn intensive care begins to resolve.