Do you have a mission for yourself? And for the family?
It seems common for companies to have mission statements that guide employees and stakeholders towards certain goals and modes of conduct. What about mission statements for families?
Perhaps a family mission statement can help guide our behavior based on shared values and propel the family to become better beings. It is also a tool to promote family unity. And certainly one that can foster a desirable family culture.
What is a family mission statement?
A family mission statement is a way to express a shared vision for the family. It can be in the form of a paragraph, a poem, a few sentences about what the family will strive for. It is a tool that helps steer the family in an agreed direction.
LILY: Get your kids outside and learn hands-on skills in nature
How to Write a Family Mission Statement
1. Get everyone seated for a family reunion
Developing a family mission statement takes time and it may take a few meetings to complete. Begin by having everyone sit down, devices away, and explain to the children what the task is. Even if it’s for 10 minutes (especially for those with young children), make sure you have everyone’s attention when introducing the activity.
2. Ask questions and listen to everyone
After introducing the activity, ask questions and listen to what everyone has to say.
Here are some suggested questions:
- What is our purpose as a family?
- What do you think are the most important values in our family?
- What kind of family would you like to have?
- What are the most common words we hear in this family?
- How can we help each other in the family?
- What do you like or dislike in the family?
- Which family do you admire? (live or on screen)
- How do we want to be remembered when we die?
- What kind of relationships do we want in this family?
- What activities do we enjoy the most?
It is best to have a “scribe” to write down the keywords and answers discussed. Every opinion should be valid even if it seems strange or awkward.
3. Write down the values
Ask an older child to write down the values shared by family members. Then prioritize those that are generally recognized as the most important.
4. Create the family mission statement
Based on what has been discussed and the agreed upon values, the family’s mission statement can be drafted.
It can be designed in many different ways, a poem, prose, story, comic, drawings and there is not just one way to do it. Make sure the statement is clear, legible and visible. Each family is unique and statements can also be presented in very different ways.
Sample Family Mission Statements
Take a cue from some of these statements we’ve seen.
Enjoy the process, it’s another opportunity to get to know each other better. This family statement is like a directional sign and signals the direction the family hopes to head in.
We hope this exercise will help your family become more harmonious, united and loving!
