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Creating A Family Vision Board For All The Right Reasons
Did you know that a family vision board is a powerful tool you can use to strengthen your family relationships?
Remember the catchy 70’s song, ‘We are family’ by Sister Sledge?
Here, let’s take a quick minute to get ‘in the mood’
Everyone can see we’re together
As we walk on by
(And) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won’t tell no lie
(All) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close?
Just let me state for the record
We’re giving love in a family dose
We are family, hey hey, hey, hey, yeah
I got all my sisters with me
Sister Sledge – We Are Family Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
The message of the song is clear : Being part of a family gives you an invaluable sense of belonging and identity.
You can listen to the song by just clicking over here.
Well, that’s exactly the ideals of a family vision board.
It’s a fun way to make life more meaningful for the whole family.
What is a family vision board
Sonya of houseofkerrs.com gives a clear idea of this:
By definition, a vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life.
A family vision board, then, would be a collective creation of each member of your family’s wants, desires and aspirations. (Source)
In other words, a family vision board is like a GPS for your family that you use for a specific time period.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney
Benefits of a family vision board
Creating a family vision board is a giant parenting and family step forward. This is largely because of the huge impact it has on the psyche of your children and you as parents. The positive effects this has on the entire family is real.
All this being said, a Family is ‘who’ you chose in your life too. If your family is your cousins, best friends, neighbors, etc. A family of friends vision board can be just as impactful.
Let’s find out more below.
“Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it.” — Elastigirl (The Incredibles)
Here are 5 compelling reasons to create a family vision board
1. Helps you to connect as a family
Working on a group project of this type is a great way to ‘connect’ as a family. A discussion to set family goals for the year gives kids the chance to reveal their hopes and dreams. This allows you a unique look into what makes them tick – their interests, their values, their fears.
For children a few upsides are tht they learn goal setting, the importance of creating their own path and choices. O.K. and a few arts and crafts skills too. I prefer to call these fine and gross motor skills.
You may find, for example, that your youngest son is a budding architect or that your daughter is a crafter in the making. You may find this a useful way to help you all towards goals that would otherwise be ‘awkward’ as a family but as a ‘goal’ it gives everyone a chance to participate in one’s personal life changes.
“Believe you can, then you will.” — Mulan (Princess Stories)
2. Encourages kids to dream big
One amazing benefit of creating a family vision board is that it invites your kids to dream big. It enables them to set big, stretch goals like ‘I want an A in the Math exam’ even if Math is their worst subject. This has a ripple effect of hard work. It could make what seemed like an unrealistic goal a reality. So the kid who battles to pass Math starts to apply himself and could well end up with an ‘A’ grade.
“Don’t just fly, soar.” — Dumbo (Dumbo)
3. Inspires good values
Children learn via this group effort to be more selfless and caring. They realize that the needs and wants of all family members have to be given equal importance.
A growth mindset starts to develop as the kids discover that they have to prioritize what goes on the family vision board. So this simple creative process teaches kids to be kind and tolerant of the views and future hopes of others.
“Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own.” — Donald Duck
4. Promotes goal setting
The real magic of a family vision board lies in its power to transform a dream into an achievable goal. For example, a family goal may be to take part in a 5k road race every month. So what daily and weekly fitness steps do you take as a family to be in shape to complete the race.
Children learn to set goals and then do the hard work every day to make them a reality. The goal setting process develops determination and perseverance in kids.
“All it takes is faith and trust.” — Peter Pan (Peter Pan)
5. Strengthens your family bonds
The simple act of creating a family vision board shows your kids how much you value them. The process to make the board is non-judgemental and involves lots of give and take especially when there are younger kids and teenagers involved.
Designing a collage which includes all that your family wants to do, be and feel becomes a symbol for unstinting family love, loyalty and support. And so the family becomes a tight knot that cannot be easily untied.
Related Post: Vision Board Party
What You’ll Need to Create Your Family Vision Board
- A poster board or even a large piece of cardboard. I’ve even seen people do these on bulletin boards with pushpins.
- Colored paper. Scraps are o.k., you won’t need full pieces.
- Old magazines. Can scour local doctors offices and ask them to set aside old ones.
- Pens, sharpies, assorted colors. (washable if smal children)
- Scissors, tape & glue. Pushpins if you go with cork/ bulletin board.
- Optional: Printed pictures. Printed Quotes. Stickers.
- I’ve scattered some great family quotes from Disney throughout the post. I’ve highlighted them so they’re easy to find.
“Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.” –Rapunzel (Tangled)
How To Create Your Family Vision Board
- Each person write down a goal they’d like to accomplish for the ‘year’
- Below their goal ask them to write what they need to do or get to help accomplish that goal (keep it simple)
- Help them find words that are positive and inspiring like ‘aspire’ , ‘get it done’ , ‘be the change’ or ‘make it happen’
- Now that everyone has their thoughts collected, dig out the fun stuff. Magazines, pens, markers, glue, tape.
- Assign each person a section of the board. I’d probably suggest closest where they are sitting. Still encourage them to help place pictures/quotes for one another.
- While the board is drying, time to have a family ‘snack’. This is a great time to give some positive feedback to your children on their parts of the vision board. If the opportunity is there, also talk about how some have common or overlapping parts of how to achieve their goals.
- Vote on place to put the vision board where EVERYONE will see it every day if even for only a couple of minutes a few times a day. For kids old enough to have smart phones, take a pic and text it to them.
- Last but the most important is to re-visit the goals and encourage the kids to help one another, see if they are needing any help with achieving steps towards these goals.
Related Post: How to Make a Powerful Vision Board – Life Makeover
Choose a ‘Family’ Goal for Your Board.
Some fortunte 500 companies have found great success in planning and participating in team building exercises. For the purpose of your vision board, this could be a way to ‘tie it all in’. Think of an experience you’d like to provide your family with or an item you have been struggling to save for.
For me, I’d love to save for a greenhouse, so that is going on my ‘family’ vision board. This is something we can all participate in, build, grow in and eat from.
Other ideas could be:
- Volunteer project. Local church, community centers or brainstorm your own.
- A Family Fun item you’d like your family to have. Could be an outdoor game, garden, or an outdoor video projector.
- A budget appropriate vacation, daycation, staycation or weekend trip.
- Paint everyone’s rooms (ughhh.. how long have you put this off?) Make it fun. You all pick your own colors and theme. Don’t forget the reward at the end for the finished project.
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Winnie the Pooh (Pooh’s Most Grand Adventure)
Be inspired by your family vision board
Place the family vision board in the one room that everyone uses everyday. It could be your living room or kitchen but it should catch the eye every time you enter the room.
This compels you to ‘meditate’ on the board but in particular to study the section that deals with your aspirations. The ripple effect is to work hard at making them happen.
If the whole family is ‘meditating’ on the board everyday, you can be certain that most of the ideals and goals will be realized.
Related Post: Start Your Own ‘for profit’ Vision Board Workshop Side Hustle
Conclusion
So there you have it. 5 advantages to creating a family vision board. Honestly though, the short and long term benefits are beyond this list.
The positivity that comes from this activity is only limited by your openness to try this proven technique with your family.
Try starting every year off by doing this fun and inspiring group project. If you do, for the rest of the year, you are very likely to be sailing on calm rather than rough seas.
Take time throughout the year too. It’s o.k. if our goals shift and we tweek the board a time or two or even ten!
“Today is a good day to try.” — Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)