Everyday Connections - 7 day plan
This month we encourage you to celebrate and recognize everyday connections with your family, past and present. These 21 days worth of connection activities are designed to be doable with low to no preparation on your part. Each day has an activity that will help you strengthen your connections with your family members.
Be sure to take the pre experiment survey before you start and come back and complete the post experiment survey when you are done.
Day 1
KICKOFF YOUR CONNECTIONS
“Find your why and you’ll find your way,” John C. Maxwell
Welcome to Day 1! Take a moment to think about why you want to participate in the experiment this month. Do you want to strengthen relationships with living family members? Whatever your reason, write it down and put it somewhere you can see daily. Next, choose a way to track your connections! Doesn’t it feel good to check a task off at the end of the day? Here are a few ways you may want to track your connections this month.
- Create a paper chain.
- Use the 1-second a day app to record your everyday moments!
- Color in or check off a bucket list for the month.
Day 2
EAT DINNER TOGETHER
“It’s not the meal itself, but the together time that counts,” Bruce Feiler
Eat dinner with a loved one and make a connection! This can be done in person or virtually. How do you make a connection at meal time? Try one of these fun activities:
- Try our Dinner Conversation Generator. How long can you last?
- Go around the table and have each person share their high and low from the day.
- Have each person say one thing they love about a person at the table.
Day 3
THIS DAY IN HISTORY*
Check out what is happening today or this month in your family’s history – recent or in the past.
- See if any ancestors are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries this month. You can do this through Family Search Use our make my meme templates to share their special day with your family on social media.
- Check out your Facebook Memories/Instagram Memories and reshare them.
- Start a line a day journal. If you already have one, look back on what you wrote in years prior.
*Requires a free account with FamilySearch
Day 4
EXPLORE FAMILY FOUNDATIONS
Does your family have a motto or a mission statement? If not, come up with a short statement together to say throughout the month. These tips from Amy of The Organized Mom can help you get started! Already have a motto? Try these instead:
- Choose a time of day to say your motto together – meal times, before leaving for the day, bedtime, etc.
- Go to http://www.allfamilycrests.com/makecoatofarms.htm and make your own family crest. Learn the symbolism of the different parts of a family crest. Or search for an existing crest for your family name at http://www.allfamilycrests.com/ and https://www.houseofnames.com/ Tip: If you have children search the internet for family crest coloring pages, print and let them color their own.
Day 5
ENJOYING MUSIC & STORIES *
What family stories and music speak to you? Take advantage of the winding down time at the end of the day to share or enjoy your favorites. Here are some ideas:
- Tell family stories at bedtime. If you no longer have children at home, share stories via Marco Polo or send a recording to your grandchildren, nieces/nephews, family members.
- Sing songs with special meaning. What songs did your parents sing to you at bedtime? What songs were popular when you were a child that may make a good lullabye. Similarly, you can record songs or send them via Marco Polo.
- No children? Read stories on the Family Search app or listen to music that brings back good memories.
- Make a family play list with extended family. What songs have special meaning in your family?
* Requires a free account with FamilySearch
Day 6
INTENTIONALLY CONNECT
Make time today to connect 1 on 1 with someone you love. Be intentional about spending time and directing attention to a friend or family member who needs it this month.
- Got children? During the month, choose a night to let each child stay up 15 minutes later than the others for 1 on 1 time with their parent (s). Let them choose an activity to do together – look through photos, play a card game, etc.
- Plan a date night with your spouse.
- Take a loved one to lunch. Do it on zoom if you have to!
Day 7
HANG A PHOTO *
Create a conversational area in your house by putting up or setting out photos of ancestors. This could be as simple as printing a photo from Family Search and taping it to your bathroom mirror! Whether it is a gallery wall or a single photo on the nightstand, choose photos of ancestors you and your family want to learn more about. You may even want to include their names on the photos.
* Requires a free account with FamilySearch
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