Long before the The Family: A Proclamation To The World was instituted in 1995 our family made a Family constitution in the year 1984. This was written and voted on by our children approx. 27 years ago. I suppose at that time and era the constitution was our family mission statement. I thought I would share our constitution for the series of The Celebration Of The Family.
We, the undersigned Williams family, do hold that families exist for the mutual teaching, shelter, nourishment, righteousness, and joy of all the members, and that each member is endowed with certain inalienable rights, we hold that these rights are:
1. True and righteous teaching 2. Love and understanding 3. Reasonable discipline 4. Nourishment 5. An orderly and comfortable home 6. Clean clothes 7. Sufficient privacy 8. Education.
We further hold that in a family, as elsewhere in life, rights are inseparably linked to responsibilities. Within our family, each member has a responsibility to:
1. Strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(a) Attend all church meetings and activities (b) Fast as needed and monthly fast Sunday (c) Daily personal prayers and family prayers (d) Scripture study daily (e) Weekly Family Home Evenings (f) Personal priesthood interview as needed; quarterly and on Birthdays (g) Fathers blessings as needed and at beginning of school year (h) Temple attendance (i) Journal keeping (j) Tithing and Fast Offerings to be paid each Fast Sunday (k) Contribute to Family Missionary fund (l) Serve our Neighbors (m) Obey the Word of Wisdom (n) Share and respect each other (o) Forgive one another (p) Refrain from quarreling (q) Repent when needed (r) Express love to one another in word and deeds -
2. Respect the rights of others:
(a) If something is destroyed by one member of the family; the offending member will be obligated to pay back with money or work.
3. Be loyal to the Family, help each other when in need.
4. Contribute to the welfare and progress of the family by sharing in the necessary work.
(a) Complete assigned work each morning and evening (b) May be asked to do extra work for additional pay
5. Obey the Family laws: You keep a law, you are blessed; you break a law you must pay the price.
(a) No one is served breakfast until dressed and bedroom tidy (b) No one goes to school until basic assigned work is done (c) Evening activities may not be started until the child has done his afternoon chores and homework (d) No eating and drinking of food or liquids away from the table (e) No taking food or goodies without permission; if broken, no special snacks or next meal (f) Dirty clothes belong in washroom or hamper, if found will be put in maid bag - must be paid for to redeem. A nickle an item or a job. (g) If toys or crayons are not put away, they will be placed in the unwanted toy bag until family member has proven responsible (h) If bikes, skateboards, balls and etc. are left out of place; family member will be restricted off for one week. (i) Bedtime will be 8 pm in the winter and 9 pm in the summer and a little earlier for the younger members of the family. Naps for all children under five.(j) Allowances will be paid 5 cents per each year of age - 10% tithing - 30% missionary fund - 60% as family member desires; hopefully with wisdom
5. Time outs will be used as thinking, repenting, and resolution for the following:
(a) fighting (b) arguing (c) sassing (d) general contention (e) teasing (f) lying (g) bad manners (h) bad table manners
6. TV watching rules:
(a) limited to special programs outlined and only when all work, homework and other assignments completed.
7. Musical interests:
(a) To begin some musical talents as finances and age permit (b) Practice time daily before or after school, no playtime or TV until completed
8. Special privileges:
(a) No work required on Birthday or other designated day according to traditions
Amendment To The Williams Family Constitution
1. Any kind of a dangerous action will be punished; the punishment will be decided after a family court session.
A few yeas ago we read this to our children at a family reunion and they LOL and asked if they really did take a vote on all of this? Of course we did!
The next question is did we actually accomplish all of it? I would say that we tried hard to follow but we were a family in progress and it didn't always go that way. We did have successful moments and accomplished many good things.
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13 comments:
I am thinking we need some of these rules in our family! They sound so much better than mine. I love that the kids voted for them!!
Ha ha!! I vaguely remember something like that. I have a copy of the constitution and I've taken several rules from it and apply them to my family.
This is absolutely wonderful! I love the idea of a family-concocted set of guidelines, whether you call it a mission statement or a constitution. Thanks so much for sharing.
This all made me laugh! We have the no food out of the kitchen and no getting your own snacks rule and it is my constant war with the kids. But I know if I give up today, our house will be destroyed tomorrow!So the war wages on.
That is awesome...even the amendment! Very thorough!
I love that you took the time to write it down and then vote on it. I think sometimes as parents we all too often just push our thoughts and opinions on our children. I need to take more time to think about that and make sure that I am giving my children the opportunity to "vote". Thank you for sharing.
This is great that you had the inspiration to do this sort of thing before the proclamation even came out. Amazing!
=)
I think it's wonderful that you did this as a family--not just Mom and Dad and what you wanted and expected.
So much better when children have an input. What a treasure! Nola
Wow! I love it! Especially the maid bag for the laundry and paying 5cents per item. I might have to borrow that policy! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. Nice to meetcha!
The concept is awesome, but I just love those family photos. What a beautiful family. Such a trophy.
Oh LeAnn! You are SO inspired! How do you ALWAYS know just what I need to read?! We've been working on goals for ourselves as individuals, as my husband and I as a couple and as a family. We were just thinking about how we need a family mission statement, or some such, and I was so needing to see an example. Thank you for providing for my needs!
Love this idea...so purposeful...thank you for sharing.
~Kara @ The Chuppies
oh how fun I especially relate to rules number 5 and 6!!! I probably should do something like this at my house:)
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