5 Core Values Every Family Should Hang to Improve their Dynamic

Summary

The article outlines five core values that a family has adopted to strengthen their dynamic, emphasizing the importance of intentional family-building through shared values.

Abstract

The author, part of a blended family, discusses the significance of establishing and displaying core family values in their home. These values, which include optimism, mutual help and respect, a growth mindset, disregarding ego, and eating dinner together, are meant to guide the family towards resilience, warmth, and kindness. The family believes in the power of organization and value-driven goals, and they encourage other families to create their own core values, involving children in the process to ensure individual expression within a structured family environment.

Opinions

The author advocates for a proactive approach to family-building, suggesting that success in human endeavors often comes from being organized and driven by goals and values.
Optimism is a chosen mindset for the family, with the author and their girlfriend modeling this attitude for their children.
The family values place a strong emphasis on the importance of helping and respecting each other, which is exemplified by the expectation that chores are a part of learning to be part of the family unit, without monetary reward.
A growth mindset is valued, with the belief that effort and the willingness to learn are crucial and should be rewarded.
The family prioritizes humility and forgiveness over ego, viewing ego as potentially destructive to their family dynamic.
Regular family dinners are considered vital for fostering happiness and closeness, with the goal of maintaining strong relationships as the children grow into teenagers and beyond.
The author recommends that every family should create core values, allowing for individuality within a structured framework, and suggests involving children in the discussion of what these values mean to them.

Or future parents

author’s image

A blended family!

Well, we blended me into her family.

She came with two kids (4 and 8 when we met) that needed to adjust to me and I to them. And her to me as a new parent and me to her as a full time, truly single parent.

In May 2021 we moved in together. In our new home, we have our Family Values posted in the kitchen.

Everyone ends up in the kitchen at some point, amiright? So they’ll be seen daily.

I think everyone should look to build a family and not just leave it up to chance. Humans are most successful when we’re organized and goal/value driven so why wouldn’t we do this with our family structures as well?

What kind of family are we looking to build? A resilient, warm and kind one.

Here are our Core Family Values.

Eats dinner together

Every night.

This is really important because studies have shown that families who eat together are happier and closer. Obviously a prime goal of ours is maintaining solid relationships with the kids as the become teenagers (and beyond).

I 10/10 recommend every family create core values.

This allows for individuals to be themselves but still within a structure that you and your partner create.

And let the kids have a say as well. Let them tell you what each value means to them, what values they care about, etc.

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5 Core Values Every Family Should Hang to Improve their Dynamic

Or future parents

We are a family that:

Defaults to optimism

Helps and respects each other

Has a growth mindset

Disregards ego

Eats dinner together