Characteristics of Functional Families Commitment Each person cares

Characteristics of Functional Families

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

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

Commitment Activity u 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)? u Write a 2 nd paragraph on the following topic: – Who in your family do you feel the least close to? – What could you do to improve that relationship?

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

Spending Time Together Activity u 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) u share top 3 ideas with your table

Communication Sharing what you think and feel u Being considerate of others thoughts and feelings u When there is respect family members can disagree without feeling hurt or put down u http: //www. cartoonstock. com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/jlvn 423 l. jpg

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

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

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

Shared Beliefs Shared beliefs and values are the foundation of strong families u They reflect what is important to the family members u They base decisions on these beliefs. u http: //www. freekareem. org/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/protest 2. JPG

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

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

Coping Skills Activity u Describe a crisis that your family has gone through? u How did your family react? u 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? u Looking back now, what could have made the situation better?