Create Family Culture Contracts

Have you ever considered a culture contract for your family?

Each and every family has a culture, even if they are not aware of it.

Culture is a combination of your family’s habits, traditions, purpose, values, beliefs, and choices. It is often impacted by personal experiences, strengths, personalities, and other influences. Each family is unique, and no two families share exactly the same family culture.

Understanding your family culture is important because it lays the foundation upon which your kids will build their future. It fosters a sense of identity and purpose as well as confidence. Your family culture sets the tone in an ever-changing world that can be full of uncertainty and lead kids to feel insecure and confused.

I like to think of family culture as a hamburger.

The patty of the hamburger represents the vision or purpose of your family. This is the meat of the family. It is really what gives everyone meaning and creates a sense of belonging.

The buns are the values that hold the hamburger in place.  What are the values that matter most to your family? These values and beliefs shape your choices, actions, and lifestyle. Often when families are experiencing high levels of conflict and tension, they have a misalignment in their values.

Lastly, the condiments are the habits, strengths, rhythms, and routines that each person contributes to make the hamburger taste unique.  The way you spend your days, the traditions that you create, the daily interactions that take place all make up your family culture.

One family I was working with decided to really go all in with the culture contract. The had two young boys that loved the movie Cars. As they were discussing their values, they decided to use the acronym CARS to help everyone remember the values that they decided represented their family culture.

Caring/Compassion

Adventure

Responsible

Sharing

Additionally, they came up with a special phrase that they could say to remind each family member to stay focused on what is most important. This was a word or phrase than was no emotional and provide a safe way to "get back on track."

"Ka-chow" was the family mantra.

Come join us this Thursday at 10:30 am PST and begin to realize your family culture. Attendees will be  able to leave with some clarity around their family vision/mission and embark in the process of connecting their family values to hold everyone accountable and create a deep connection.

Complimentary registration here.