we know family is important but why?

FamilyeJournal, LLC • [email protected] • 240.398.7228

@familyejournal #fej #connect

mailto:[email protected]


Family Focus

• Does your organization have a dedicated family

focus? E.g. Family month or week?

• Organize events and activities

1. Event – Presentation by Kevin Strauss, Founder

and President, FamilyeJournal.com

2. Activity – 30-Day Family Relationship Boosting

Challenge



What is family?

• How do you define family?

• Why is family important?

– Single most important influence in a child’s life

– Food, water, shelter (Need #1)

– Protection, safety (Need #2)

– First relationship you have



How is relationship defined?

• The way 2 or more people/organizations regard and behave toward each other

• The state of being connected (Need #3)



Who are we connected to?

Group exercise

Think about someone you’re very close and connected to.

1. How do you know you’re connected?

2. How did you first connect?

3. How long did it take to connect?

4. How have you maintained your connection?



Why I Love EmailEmail is like letter writing from days past. Strong bonds and relationships can develop from simply writing to each other.



Recall the 3 Needs

Physiologic Needs

• Food, Water, Shelter

Safety Needs

• Protection, Security

Belongingness & Love Needs

• Connection, family, intimate relationships, friends



Abraham Maslow’sHierarchy of Needs (1943)



How was school today?The simplest question and the hardest to get a response. Kids feel interrogated and the question is one-sided. By having real dialogue and a 2-way conversation, both parent and child will

learn about each other’s day.



Need for Connection

People long for connection…

• 2 out of 3 teens want more time with their parents.1

• Since the 1960s, children have lost 10-12 hours/week of time with their parents.2



Need for Connection (cont.)

When we don’t feel connected…• Studies show a strong sense of connection with

family can deter high-risk behavior.3

• People who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression.4

• Studies4 show connected people have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, and are more trusting and cooperative.



Need for Connection (cont.)

When connection does not occur people attempt to compensate with alternative behaviors.



How to Connect

1. Communicate

2. Share what’s on your mind

3. 2-way

4. Something personal but not necessarily private

5. Avoid specific topics, to start



How FamilyeJournal Helps

1. Q&A platform for communication

a. Answering simple questions initiates the conversation

2. Indirect, guided communication

a. Write answers to questions from our database

b. Read your family members’ answers



FamilyeJournal

TestimonialsA father wrote and told us his 12 year old daughter had not

spoken to his ex-wife in about a year. Within one week of using FamilyeJournal, the mother and daughter were talking again.

FamilyeJournal helps open the lines of communication.



Start Using FamilyeJournal

1. Challenges and Annuala. 30-, 60-, 90-Day Relationship Boosting Challenge

b. Annual membership

2. Rotary Club, School, Corporate, Community, etc.

a. Sponsor a FamilyeJournal Wellness Program for members and/or staff



Thank You!Kevin R. Strauss, M.E.

[email protected]

240-398-7228


we know family is important but why?

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