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Worksheet

Family Mission Statement

What is the purpose of your family? This is a big question and the answer will help you know what behaviors to address and what behaviors to ignore.  It will also help you decide when it’s appropriate to provide a consequence for misbehavior (and what behavior is actually misbehavior). It can also guide you as you create Family Agreements (or rules). But that's later. For now, let's start with building a foundation for your family.

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Family Mission Statement

Steven Covey said, “A family mission statement is a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about - what it is you really want to do and be - and the principles you choose to govern your family life.” 

He also tells us that it “lays out a vision for your family of where you want to go together and how you want to get there. It provides a path and guideposts pointing the way ahead.” And he reminds us that it is like an “Inoculation against children getting swept along with the flow of society’s values and trends.”

Here are some questions to ask yourself and your spouse/partner:

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Core Values

Think about your Core Values. Make a list (5-10 words) of what’s most important (not a wish list of what you want but what you already have), here’s a start: honesty, peace, faith, participation, service... or you can Download Brene Brown's list of values to get you thinking about the top THREE (okay, okay, you can pick up to five each) values that are most important for your family to live by. Circle the top THREE (or five) that you will focus on.

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What’s working well?

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What am I doing that you love?

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Is there a way I can be a better partner for you?

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In what ways is our marriage serving its purpose?

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What two ways can I improve the way I treat you?

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Tell me how I can disagree with you better.

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What goals do you want to share with me and how can I support you?

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What’s working well with our finances?

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What can we improve regarding our finances?

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What kind of mom/dad do you want to be?

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How can I support you in this?

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What principles are important to you that we teach the children?

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How do you see your role?

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How do you see my role?

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In what ways do you see our extended families participating in our family?

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What are the traditions you grew up with (or not) that you want us to incorporate into our family?

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What traditions do you NOT want to bring to our family?

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What else?

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Example:

Here's a sample mission statement I lifted from the Internet YEARS ago. I do not remember where I got it but it's so good I had to share it. I didn't create it but I use it!

Our Family mission is to:

Value honesty with ourselves and others.

Create an environment where each of us can find support and encouragement in achieving our life’s goals.

Respect and accept each person’s unique personality and talents.

Promote a loving, kind, and happy atmosphere.

Support family endeavors that better society.

Be open to resolving conflicts with each other rather than harboring anger.

Show gratitude for all that we have.


I'm not saying it's easy to do the work required to transform your family. I'm saying it's WORTH IT!

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Now it's your turn!

Please fill out your full mission statement in the box below.