Family values are guidelines that shape how you want your family to live. They provide a foundation for decision-making, help navigate awkward situations, and guide young people to make thoughtful choices. Most importantly, they help create the strong family bond we all wish for.

If you don’t already have family values in place, don’t worry—it’s never too late to start! This article will guide you through creating your own set of values and provide inspiration to get started.

Types of Family Values

Below are several types of values to consider. This list is not exhaustive since each family’s values are unique, but it’s a great starting point for setting your own.

Moral Values

Moral values serve as your compass for distinguishing right from wrong. These values often come from life experiences and are passed down through generations.

Examples of moral values:

• Always tell the truth.
• Be trustworthy.
• Be patient with others.
• Be courageous.
• Don’t give up.
• Learn from failures.

Work and Education Values

Work and education values reflect your family’s approach to effort, reliability, and personal growth. They set standards for how you treat coworkers, classmates, and the pursuit of learning at any age.

Examples of work and education values:

• Always put in your best effort.
• Work in a team.
• Treat coworkers and classmates with respect.
• Be creative.
• Make education a priority.
• Maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Always ensure you’re being paid your worth.

Fun and Play Values

Fun and play values encourage recreational activities and bonding within your family. These values are vital for building closeness, improving social skills, and creating lasting memories.

Examples of fun and play values:

• Dedicate family time once a week (e.g., game night or movie night).
• Encourage family members to pursue their interests.
• Allow for unstructured playtime.
• Explore the outdoors together.
• Show love and laughter every day.

Do donuts make your family happy?

Social Values

Social values shape your family’s interactions with the wider community. These include principles like peace, justice, and community involvement.

Examples of social values:

• Do not harm others, physically or emotionally.
• Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
• Be generous.
• Volunteer for charity or community work.
• Respect others and their property.

Money Values

Money values guide your family’s approach to earning, saving, and spending. These principles teach financial responsibility and generosity.

Examples of money values:

• Save a percentage of earnings regularly.
• Create a family budget with room for fun activities.
• Donate to charity periodically.
• Spend money on experiences, not just material items.
• Set financial goals and earn money honestly.

8 Steps to Create Your Family Values

Most families already share similar views passed down through generations. Formalizing these values doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these eight steps to create a meaningful and practical set of family values:

1. Start with categories. Write down the types of values (e.g., moral, social) you want to include and list at least five points under each.
2. Hold a family meeting. Explain the purpose and benefits of creating family values. Ensure everyone feels included and valued.
3. Brainstorm together. Discuss your family’s strengths, challenges, and what makes you happy. Write down everyone’s ideas.
4. Create an initial list. Go around the table and gather at least one idea from each family member for each category.
5. Refine the list. Review the brainstormed ideas and narrow them down to a few key points per category. Too many values can be overwhelming, especially for younger family members.
6. Allow reflection time. Give everyone a copy of the refined list and a few days to review it. Encourage feedback and suggestions.
7. Finalize your values. At a follow-up meeting, review everyone’s comments and agree on a final list of 10 or so family values, or however many you think suits yours needs.
8. Display your values. Create a visual representation of your family values. This could be a handmade poster, a digital printout, or a creative craft project. Place it somewhere visible, like the kitchen, so it’s a daily reminder.

Keep Tweaking

Family values are a living document. Over time, you may find opportunities to adjust them as your family grows and evolves. Reviewing your list yearly ensures it remains relevant and meaningful.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to create family values. Feel free to adapt these steps to suit your family’s needs. The key is to make the process collaborative and enjoyable.

Do you have family values you’d like to share? Write them in the comments below! If you’ve created a visual display of your family values, I’d love to see it. Send your pictures to thespreadsheetdad@gmail.com.

Best regards,
TSD