Uncomplicate the Family Mission Statement. Create One in 3 Easy Steps

Happy 2017! 

I think we would all agree we want to raise our kiddos with intentionality. Yet the days slip by and the years pass. We forget to focus on the future because we are so busy chasing the day. 

We have good intentions of being more purpose driven while raising kids but it is soooo hard to slow down and carve out the time to figure out our family's reason for being.

The idea seems too big. Too deep. Too complex. Way too complicated. 

 I have been parent coaching a mom and dad of three kids. One of their goals as a couple was to create a family mission statement. This is the first family I have worked with who has asked for help with this task. I was so encouraged to be a part of their journey to intentionally define their family goals and purpose. 

They had researched various way to create a family mission statement.They had read books and scoured the internet only to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. 

It should not be so hard.

To assist them in their noble quest to design a mission statement for their busy gang of five, I decided the simpler the better.  The easier something is and the less time it takes to create, the more likely they will be to follow through. (I know because this is true for me and I'll bet it is true for you too.) 

Here is my simplified approach to creating a family mission statement.

Principle:

A Family Mission Statement  casts a vision for the family
by identifying shared values and focusing on a common purpose.

3 Easy Steps to Create a Family Mission Statement

 1. Call a family meeting. Be sure to have 100% attendance. (Yep, even the baby. Hold him on your lap so he can be present as well.) This discussion could take more than one family gathering. Be flexible. All participate. Each voice is heard. Each idea valued. (Have a "secretary" write down each response.)  

2. Discuss:

         A. Characteristics: How do we want to treat each other?

             Then list qualities that support this value. (Respect is an example of this.)

        B. Feelings: What feeling do we want to permeate our home? (Joy could be an example of this.)

        C. Actions: How can we help each other and what activities do we want to engage in as a family? (Sporting events, vacations, game nights.)

        D. Values: What do we value as a family? (Faith or service are possible examples.) 

        E. Perspective: These questions lead us to answering the big question: Why do you think God put our family together?  

3. Jot your ideas down on a certificate to make it official. Have everyone sign it. If your kids are too young to sign then trace their hand on the document. Display it in your home.

Here's an example of what your Mission Statement may look like. Be sure to put a scripture verse at the top. I happen to like Deuteronomy 6:5-9 for this. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
 and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6: 5-9

The ______________Family Mission Statement

We, the___(family name)___________________ family, seek to be a family

 who ___(Answer to E)_____________________________.

by living out our core values of___(Answer to letter D) _______________________________________________.

We desire to encourage and support each other 

by__(Answer to C.) _____________________________________

while treating each other with_______(Answer to letter A) _____________________________________________________.

We want our home to be a place filled with
(Answer to letter B.)____________________________________________.

Signed and Dated:

This is a quick and easy way to write a family mission statement. If you want to study this topic in depth the best resource out there is  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Steven Covey. 

If this post was helpful and you want more information on raising kids head over to Amazon and pick up your copy of  Raising Little Kids with Big Love or Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love  .

Lori Wildenberg
co-founder of 1Corinthians13Parenting.com, co-author of 3 parenting books, mom of four (plus one daughter-in-love) Contact Lori for your next event. She is also available for parent consulting and parent training courses.