Characteristics of Functional Families

1. Characteristics of Functional Families

2. Commitment • Each person cares for and is invested in the well-being of the others • They show this through respect, support, and consideration http://www.onefamilyfund.org/Portals/0/WWA_Pics/About_OF/ThankYou/652/Aziz%20family.jpg

3. Functional Family Activities • Take out a few pieces of notebook paper • Label at the top “Functional Family Activities”

4. Commitment Activity • Write a paragraph on the following topic: • Who in your family do you feel closest to and cares the most about you? • What makes you feel that way (be specific)? • Write a 2nd paragraph on the following topic: • Who in your family do you feel the least close to? • What could you do to improve that relationship?

5. Spend Time Together • Make spending time with each other a priority – even schedule time • Do things together that you all find fun. • Examples: Game Night, Hiking, Shopping, Cleaning the House, etc. http://www.bradleystoke.gov.uk/fireworks-2006/images/postcards/Family-Fun.jpg

6. Spending Time Together Activity • List 12 activities that you think your family would enjoy doing together (these can be whole family activities, or things you would do with just 1 or 2 family members) • share top 3 ideas with your table

7. Communication • Sharing what you think and feel • Being considerate of others thoughts and feelings • When there is respect family members can disagree without feeling hurt or put down http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/jlvn423l.jpg

8. Communication Activity • Think about the 1 or 2 things in your life that are the most stressful right now. • Share your answer with a partner. • Answer the following questions on your notebook paper • How well did your partner listen to you? • How did that make you feel?

9. Appreciation • Thanking each other • Showing affection http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/93/40/23464093.jpg

10. Appreciation Activity • list each member of your family, • for each family member write 5 specific things you could do to show them that you love them, and are grateful for them.

11. Shared Beliefs • Shared beliefs and values are the foundation of strong families • They reflect what is important to the family members • They base decisions on these beliefs. http://www.freekareem.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/protest2.JPG

12. Shared Beliefs Activity • describe the 5 most important values or beliefs you have learned from your family. • What, if any, values do you want to teach your kids that you didn’t learn from your parents?

13. Coping Skills • How they handle problems • Being willing to admit when you have problems • Being able to identify the problem • Communication http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/images/tttInterruption.jpg

14. Coping Skills Activity • Describe a crisis that your family has gone through? • How did your family react? • On a scale from 1-10 (1 being really badly and 10 being perfectly) how well do you think your family coped with the situation? • Looking back now, what could have made the situation better?