Troop 171

Mooresville, NC
Piedmont Council
Boy Scouts of America

Family Life
What is a Family?

March 2009

Merit Badge Card

Front of card:

Number Requirements put in block (1-7)

Application For Merit Badge.Name
Check Boy Scout of Troop 171
Gemstone District
Piedmont Council

Back of card:
Fill Out all three sections.
Merit Badge Name & Name of Counselor (Me)
Next sectionYour Name & Merit Badge
Next sectionApplicant Name, Troop 171, Merit Badge
PASS THEM UP TO THE FRONT WHEN DONE!!

Requirement Summary
Will complete today:
Requirements
#1, #2, #6 A , #7 A & B

Requirement #4 ,#5 & 6 B To be completed at

home
Will discuss examples for you to follow

March 16th Completion Requirement #3

If you started on December 17th with chore list.

Schedule Board of Review March 17th and on.

Tell me
What a family is?
What makes up the family?

What is a family?

Its made up of people who care about one another.

All members of a family give and receive love and support.
Members share both happy and sad times together.
Members support each other in the daily grinds of the day.

Strong families are the foundation of strong communities.

Families need a strong foundation.
The strong foundation comes from the individuals who
support it; mom, dad, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts,
uncles, grand parents etc.

Types of Families

Name any of the

types of families in
the merit badge book.

Types of Families
Nuclear Family- father, mother & children.
Extended Family- members beyond the
nuclear family like aunts, uncles, grand
parents.
Single Parent- one parent with children
Blended Family- step parents, step brothers
or step sisters
Adoptive Family- family with children who
are not biologically linked.
Childless Family- couple with no children
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Who is your family?

Who are the members of your own family?
Is your family small or large?
Families provide shelter, food, and clothing. They make you
feel safe and loved. They want you to be the best person
you can be. No matter what your age is, you can make the
most of your family life and help your family grow strong.
In order for your family to strengthen, you need to build
bridges of mutual respect and love. This is the only way a
family can flourish and be happy.

Positive Family Traits

These are the most important traits that will form and
maintain a strong family.
Love

Security

Mutual Trust

Acceptance/Respect

Good Relationship/Communication

Shared Roles/Responsibilities
Time Together

Cooperation

Good Management Skills

Love
Families show love many ways:

Care about feelings

Share each others hurts
Solve problems together
Always being there when needed
Using special words or phrases
Telling each other they love one another
Going out of your way to help
Being patient

What are other examples?

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Security
This refers to the physical and
psychological safety.

Encouragement given
Guidance and training
Support
These items make family members feel
safe and secure.

What would happen to the family or

members if this is not present?

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Acceptance & Respect

Part of growing up is learning to accept and respect
yourself and others.

Do you live by the Scout Law?

Are you dependable and honest?
Always prepared to help your family, neighbors & friends?
Positive Attitude? Are you enjoyable to be around?
How important is your family to you?
Do you help your younger brothers/sisters?
Do you support family traditions?
Do you tell your family you love them?
Are you willing to help around the house?
Do you offer help without being asked?

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Mutual Trust
Trust is something that must be
earned. It does not happen unless
the following is done;

Keeping your word

Be truthful always
Be reliable, caring & unselfish
Make good decisions
Do what you say your going to do

Trustworthy is a key component of

the Scout Law.

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Good Relationship/Communication Skills

Good communication helps prevent misunderstandings.
People sometimes talk to much and listen to little!
People communicate their thoughts better than their
feelings.
Need to communicate feelings, for better understanding.
Send clear messages with feelings.
Ex I really feel angry that you are not letting me go to the movies
tonight. Instead of sayingyou are the meanest person in the
whole world
Do not Criticize!
Do not judge.quick judgments are usually wrong.
Do not label people as lazy, sloppy, slow, mean stupid etc.

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Shared Roles/Responsibility
Managing a home is a lot of work
All members need to pull their
weight (their share).
Need to complete chores timely
Step up and do more than asked
Work as a team to get large
projects completed.
Sometimes you need to do other
members work when they are
pulled away for other types of
family support.
Parents work, after school sports,
after school work etc.
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Cooperation/Interdependence
The family needs cooperation. Working as a team.
Areas you can support the family;
Keep your room neat and clean, make bed, hang up your clothes,
put all belongings away, clean the floor, keep surfaces clean.
Family Meals- set and clear table, help prepare the meal, assist
with meal plans, carry groceries, sweep floor.
General Chores- take out trash, wash family cars, clean
bathroom, dust and vacuum, mop the floors, care for pets.
Laundry- wash, fold clothes.
Yard Work- clean up yard, cut lawn etc.
Special Projects- above and beyond daily chores.

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Special Projects

What are some special projects that

you can do around the house to
benefit the family?

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Special Projects?

Create new storage areas in your room.

Organize clothes in your closet.
Paint a room in the house.
Prepare a family meal on your own.
Clean and organize the garage.
Wash all windows in the house.
Mulch the flower beds.
Weed the flower beds
Give the family pet a bath.
Do the laundry for another family member.

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Time Spent Together

To help other people at all times
Family projects are a great time for
families to spend quality time
together accomplishing something.
Requirement 5 is planning a family
project and completing it.
What are good projects for the
family to work on together?

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Family Projects?

Neighborhood project cleaning up trash

Plan and conduct a family garage sale.
Create a new family tradition? Family night Fridays?
Work in the soup kitchen as a family to help community.
Family to bake items for a bake sale at church. Maybe
volunteer to work the sale.
Clean the basement, to make room for a game room.
Work together on a photo album of the family.
Volunteer family for a church, town, city project.
Family project of planting flowers and mulching the beds.

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Setting Up The Project

Planning
What needs to be done
What will be done. Why?
Do you have all supplies.

Performing
What activity decided on?
How will you do it?
Who will do what?
When will it be done?

Reflect on Accomplishment

What got accomplished?

How did you & family feel?

How could you improve it?
How has the project made you feel?
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Good Management Skills

Effectively managing a family requires time and money
management skills.
Time management:

Setting goals and priorities helps the family to stay on track.

Pitching in as a team to get things done.
Set tasks that can be accomplished.
Schedule relaxation time to rejuvenate the body.
Use To Do Lists mark off completed tasks.
Schedule difficult tasks when you are rested and can tackle.
Be flexible, but effective I getting tasks done.

What is the best use of my time right now??

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Good Management Skills

Effectively managing a family requires time and money
management skills.
Money is important to survive, but it is not the most
important thing in life. Your family, friends and faith are
much more important.
Money Mgt:
Income: money coming in, allowance, job, gifts, sale items.
Expenses: money spent on items wanted, needed.
Savings: what you save up for another day.

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Money Mgt Tips

Develop Budgets: plan for spending and

keep to that plan. After awhile you will
save expected dollars.

Limit Impulse Purchases: you may see

something you did not plan for, it may be
at check out counter etc. Need to limit
these, they ruin a budget.

Avoid Shopping for Emotion: never buy

things to make you feel better, solve the
problem.

Stay Within Budget: if you go over, you

need to earn more or spend less.

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The Family Meeting

Family Meeting Guidelines

Include all family members

Set a day, time and place in advance
Keep the day and time the same weekly
One person should lead the discussion
Leaders should rotate who are old
enough
One person takes notes on the meeting
Always have an agenda
Always recap the previous meeting held
Stay focused on the topics at hand

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Meeting Ground Rules

Topics should be about situations

Do not make issues about individuals
Prevent anger and hard feelings
Do not bring up negative past issues
Listen without interrupting others
Raise hand to speak, no outbursts
No criticisms or judgments
Offer suggestions for solutions

Always end the meeting with each

member stating one good thing
happening in the family.

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The Problem-Solving Process

Identify The Problem- make sure all parties understand the
issues or problem at hand within the family.
Identify Options- come up with different solutions. Use a
suggestion box if you have one to generate new ideas.
Evaluate Options- what are the strengths and weaknesses
of each idea. Review all options and make sure they are valid
Choose The Best Option- use the process of elimination.
Make A Plan- set up steps to be taken. Who needs to do
what, when , where. Put in writing.

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Conflict Resolution
Bring all issues out in open.
Keep emotions under control.
Avoid blaming, accusations, or name
calling.
Sometimes you need time to
yourself to think through issue.
Use problem solving process to
resolve daily conflicts. Do Not let
issues get out of hand!

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Family Meeting
Topics?

What are some meeting

topics that could be
discussed?

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 EXAMPLES:

The dangers of drugs and substance abuse.

Personal and Family finances.
Crises within the family (various types)
The effect of technology (e-mail, internet, mobile
phones, abuse of technology)
Understanding the growing up process, how the
body changes and making responsible decisions.

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Dangers of Drugs
and
Substance Abuse

Dangers of Drugs/Substance Abuse

Peer pressure can influence a lot of
people who want to be accepted.
Be strong, be yourselfsay no!!!
Drugs do harm to your mind and
body
Cigarettes, Alcohol & Drugs do not
make you cool, they abuse your
body.
Chose friends carefully, a true
friend would not try and talk you
into trying drugs or other
substances.

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Harmful Substances Can:

Interfere with learning and impair your performance with
things you do.
Cause behavior problems, mood changes, and sleep
disturbances.
Slow you down and impair your ability to think things
through. You can not make clear and sound decisions.
Interrupt healthy physical development and limit athletic
abilities.
Lead to the physical and emotional abuse of other family
members or friends.
TAKE A STAND AGAINST DRUGS
Drugs and alcohol affect people in different ways

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Signs of a Substance Abuser

Dilated pupils, flushed skin, and a tired, sloppy or disheveled
appearance.
Behavioral changes such as moodiness, irritability, unreasonable
bursts of temper, or wanting to be alone much of the time.
A change in friends
A change in study habits often accompanied by falling grades or
truancy (skipping school)
Irregular eating habits
Memory lapses and blackouts
Evidence of drug paraphernalia
Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
Changes in sleep patterns

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Crises Within the

Family

Crises in the Family

Crisis can affect all family members.
The crisis may cause additional stress when:
There are a number of stressful events at the same time.
There are a number of family members involved in the crisis.
The family struggles with identifying, relating to, and handling
the event.
The resources available to the family for dealing with the crises
are limited or not easily accessible.
What are some examples of crisis that can affect the family?
How would you handle it?

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Technology-Effects the Family

Technology can make life easier.

Technology can also assist you missing a lot

of other things. It can waste precious time
in your life.

You can spend too much time on computers

and cell phones. Use wisely.

Internet safety- never give your full name,

address, phone number, school name, town
you live in, sports team you are on etc to
strangers.

Keep your cell phone close to you. Easily

stolen and used for overseas calls. Also a
lot of personal info on them.

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Growing Up Process
Adolescence- time between childhood and
becoming an adult.
You are to young or to old for things, it is a
frustrating time.
Hormones (substance in body that controls
your bodies growth). They are at a very high
level. This time in life is puberty. Facial hair,
arm pit hair, body hair etc is growing and
showing.
Intellectual changes are taking place to.
Face more choices, make difficult decisions
etc.
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Growing Up cont.
Friendships with boys or girls help you:
Understand different points of view.
Develop social skills and friendships.
Develop positive aspects of own personality.
Abstinence Before Marriage Is Best
Sign of maturity
Respect young women and want the best for both of you.
Do not want a child before you are ready, fully responsible.
You need to be emotionally, socially, and financially prepared to
have a child.

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Your Future Family

Future Family
Factors that help young
couples determine
readiness for a family:

Age
Social Experience
Emotional Maturity
Financial Security
Education
Goals and Desires

Open and Honesty

Be yourself

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Responsibilities of Parenthood
Take Care of Physical Needs- food, clothing, and shelter.
Children need nutritious food and diet in order to be
healthy.
Provide Love & Emotional Support- love children
unconditionally. Children need to know they are loved.
Guidance & Discipline- set proper limits, give direction.
Providing Protection- know where children are at all times.
They are safe under your care.
Economic Support- financial support of the family.
Healthcare Needs- doctor visits, adequate healthcare.
Share Time, Talent Ideas- Communication with children.
Teaching Independence- children help around house, teach
responsibility.

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Responsibilities of Parenthood
Teaching Social Skills- children taught how to behave
around others, in society.
Educational & Recreational Experiences- reading, playing
games, educate with books etc.
Teaching Values- pass down family beliefs down to children.
Preserving Cultural Traditions.

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Merit Badge
Requirements

Requirement #1
What is a Family?
Why are families important to
individuals and society?
How can the actions of one member
affect other members?

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Requirement #2
List several reasons you are important to your family:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

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Requirement #6 A

Discuss with your merit badge

counselor how to plan and carry out a
family meeting. Give a brief summary
about what you would discuss:

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Requirement #7 A & B
Discuss with your counselor your understanding of
what makes an effective father and why. Give a
brief summary of your discussion:
What are your thoughts on the fathers role in
the family?
Discuss with your counselor your understanding of
the responsibilities of a parent. Give a brief
summary of your discussion:

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HOMEWORK!

Requirement #4
With the approval of your parents or guardians
and your merit badge counselor, decide on and
carry out a project that you would do around the
house that would benefit your family. Submit a
report to your merit badge counselor outlining
how the project benefited your family.
Fill out merit badge guide!
Expected Completion Date_____________?

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Requirement #5
Plan and carry out a project that involves the
participation of your family. After completing the
project, discuss the following with your merit
badge counselor:

A) The objective or goal of the project

B) How individual members of your

family
participated

C) The results of the project

Fill out merit badge guide!
Estimated Completion Date____________________?

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Requirement #6 B
B) Plan and carry out a family meeting to include
the following subjects:

1) Avoiding substance abuse

2) Understanding the growing-up process and

how the body changes, and making
responsible decisions dealing with sex

3) Personal and family finances

4) A crisis situation within your family

5) The effect of technology on your

family
Fill out merit badge guide!
Estimated Completion Date_____________________?
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