Practical Family Culture Examples

What does a healthy family culture include? We all want our families to do well, but sometimes knowing where to get started is the hardest part. Let’s dive into some examples of what makes family culture so you can identify ways to get started on your own family culture. If you want to start by understanding exactly what family culture is first, make sure to catch up with our previous blog “What Is Strong Family Culture” here.

Family Culture Examples: Family Rhythms

One of the most basic ways to build family culture is through the rhythms you create together. Family rhythms mean the continued patterns and routines that reinforce who your family is and how you connect. Here are a few examples:

Meal-time rhythms

What are the key things you do at every meal that help build your family culture? It could be things like prayer, sharing a highlight of the day, everyone sharing a compliment, etc.

Reflection rhythms

It can often be overlooked but having a rhythm where your family regularly reflects on things they have been learning or that they are grateful for can be meaningful. It gets you out of the ordinary routines and helps you find perspective.

Day specific rhythms

Whether it’s a weekend or another specific day of the week, having time-driven rhythms can be useful so your family knows what to expect. Maybe the first Wednesday of the month is the day you have a family group call if your family includes adult children not in the home. Or maybe Monday evenings are your time of prayer that a different child leads each time. The point is to develop consistency and connection.

Family Culture Examples: Family Behaviors & Way of Life

The next idea of family behaviors or the way you do life helps give guidance for daily life. Think about your family culture and how it could set the tone for what your family is known for. This doesn’t always mean the big, over the top gestures. Often, it is much more about the simple, clear ways you live. 

Here’s a few examples of types of behaviors:

• How you spend your time
• How you treat people
• How you walk with God
• Actions tied to the goals and values you have

To make it practical, think about if a neighbor was asked to describe you, what are the 2 or 3 traits you would want them to say? “Oh the Smith family! We love them. They are always so generous. I know I can call and they will lend a hand with whatever we need.”

Family Culture Examples: How We Operate

Lastly, a part of family culture is having a clear way to operate and govern as a family. When you are able to give your family roles and a purpose, it gives clarity on how your family can work together and it brings further intentionality. Think about this tied to your family meetings and where you can assign ownership.

It may look different depending on seasons of life but roles that help inform how you operate could include:

• Visionary/Leader
• Convener
• Organizer
• Chaplain
• Culture Developer
• Finance/Generosity
• Prayer Leader

Having roles and structure for how you operate will make creating culture much more tangible. Start with a regular rhythm to meet as a family with a defined agenda and integrate those roles into the meeting.

Next Steps for Your Family Culture

To start making these areas practical, take some time on your own first to reflect on this principle of culture. What do you hope will define your family? What should it feel like when everyone is together and on the same page? You need to start with vision. From there, consider having a family meeting to discuss some of these culture examples and get their input on ideas that resonate most with them.

Pick one or two things to try and find a time to evaluate and follow up. Forward motion is what matters most, so keep gathering together, talking, refining, and growing.

If you want to find more practical advice and insight, make sure to stay connected with Legacy Stone. We send out regular family training content that you can sign up for here!