1. Characteristics of Functional Families

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

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

4. Commitment Activity  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)?  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?

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

6. Spending Time Together Activity  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)  share top 3 ideas with your table

7. Communication  Sharing what you think and feel  Being considerate of others thoughts and feelings  When there is respect family members can disagree without feeling hurt or put down http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/jlvn423l.jpg

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

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

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

11. Shared Beliefs  Shared beliefs and values are the foundation of strong families  They reflect what is important to the family members  They base decisions on these beliefs. http://www.freekareem.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/protest2.JPG

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

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

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