Now that your family has answered the question ‘What do you want your family to be?’ and you have a written description of your ‘dream family life’ up to this point, it is time to move on to step 2, ‘What does your family want to do?’
Book a ‘Date Night’, and as a couple take some time to discuss, brainstorm and write down the things that the two of you would like to do in your life. There are no limits when you brainstorm ideas and of course it is important to be respectful of whatever idea that happens to come out of your spouse’s mind. Brainstorming is a way of getting out all those ideas that have been hanging around tucked inside your mind for years. Sometimes they seem so important inside there, but when they are presented on a piece of paper or computer screen you begin to wonder how you thought they were ever that important. Then again, you may feel even more enthusiastic once you have expressed your desires. This can make for some interesting conversations together, and you may find out things about your spouse that you did not know before.
Using the ideas from the completed step 1 activity as your guide, create another short paragraph summarizing the things you choose to do together that are in harmony with and will help you achieve ‘being’ that couple you have both decided you choose to be.
Once you have your ‘together’ list of things you want and choose to do, what are the things you want to do as a family? This list will help you to be prepared ahead of time before you meet together with your children. Create another paragraph that reflects your family life, this will be a rough draft or outline since you will be completing this with your children.
Now get out your calendar and schedule in the day and time that your family will gather together for another brainstorming session.
The most important part of all of this is to create a safe environment to express ideas, and feel valued as a unique member of the family. If there is sometimes a problem in this area of your family life, then maybe ground rules are set down before going into your meeting. As each person walks into the room all teasing, mocking, put downs, laughing at, are left outside the doorway of the room. In our F.U.S.E. at Home program we have created an agenda to help parents lead a Weekly F.U.S.E. Family Focused Activity© and you can download it free at http://FUSEFamilyFocus.com.
Enjoy the time you spend with your children discussing, and brainstorming all the ideas that come to mind of all that you want and choose to do as a family. Reviewing your written vision of the family you want and choose to be will be a great guide in helping your children decide which activities will help you fulfill your vision of your ‘dream family life’.