Our Family Plan

For the past couple of family nights we have been making a family mission statement. That might sound a little odd, but you know- I read it in Covey's book. I get things stuck in my head when I'm reading something. So, my whole family suffers through it. When I first started reading about it I thought, "We don't need to do that." Then I kept reading and decided that it wasn't such a bad idea, and that it wouldn't hurt to try it. (I realize that you, the reader, may not be interested in any of this, but I'm planning on printing this into a book for our family history someday, so just don't read it if it's dumb to you :)
So, here is what we did:

1. Intro: We talked about how builders have plans when they build houses... I asked them whose house would be better: one built by a guy who planned it out, or one who just put things together as he went... Then we likened that to the family. Do we want a family plan or just do whatever as it came?

2. Answered Questions: I gave all of us some cards to write answers about the family on it. Tavish recorded our information. Here is what we came up with:
(I would put this as a link or whatever to click on, but I don't know how and don't have time to figure it out. I just coppied and pasted, you can skip all this if you want)

1.) What are some characteristics of a good family?
a. Listen to each other
b. Treat with respect
c. Help others (Have a good attitude about service) (Do nice things)
d. Have fun together (Have fun) (Play Together)
e. Can talk about stuff
2.) How should we speak to each other and treat each other in the family?
a. Control our tempers.
b. Give the benefit of the doubt before accusing.
c. Give Compliments (Focus on good)
d. Talk and treat each other nicely.
e. Speak Nice and not yell at each other and not be mean to each other.
f. Speak polite and without anger.
3.) What are some of our favorite things we do together?
a. Watch Internet TV
b. Lay in Mom and Dad’s bed in the morning and talk.
c. Family Vacations (Swimming in Bear Lake)
d. Trips to Grandma Sues House.
e. Family Night.
f. Go on Bike Rides.
4.) What is most important to us?
a. Gospel. (Going to Church) (Going to the Temple) (Following Commandments)
b. Education.
c. Loving Each Other.
5.) What kind of feelings should we have in our home?
a. We should feel Comfort
b. We should feel Security
c. We should feel Loved
d. Good Feelings
e. Nice Feelings
f. Peaceful
g. Happy
h. Acceptance
6.) What are we good at?
a. Communicating.
b. Education. (Reading Books)
c. Dad’s good at farting.
d. Being Nice to others.
e. Andrew’s good at riding a scooter.
f. Sharing with Others.
7.) What kind of values do we want our family to have?
a. Forgiving
b. Friendly
c. Clean
d. Cautious (Not talk to strangers)
e. Altruistic
f. Honest
g. Serving

I was surprised how Sara was really getting into it. (She's usually in La La land when we have family discussions in FHE) She was really thinking about it and writing her answers with real words. It was so cute. (We did this for 2 weeks)

3. Made up a plan: After discussing our answers and priorities... we came up with this mission statement:

Our family values the Gospel, Education, and Service.
We strive to be Honest, Kind, Forgiving and Accepting of Each Other.
We desire our home to be a House of Order, Peace , Happiness, and Love.

I thought it was just perfect for us (as long as we actually think about and act upon it during the week:). I think what made these family nights good was that the kids were putting their own imput which makes them value our plan more than if it was just me and Tavish making it.

I've got to tell you that Andrew and his dad were having a powerstruggle over something just before family night, so Andrew had some attitude at first. He didn't like the service part. He said, "I don't want to serve my family, I just want them to serve me." At least he's honest. He got over his bad mood as family night went on, so it turned out nice in the end.

I love my little family!