What are values and why do they matter? How do misaligned values feed conflict? How do coordinating shared values help relationships? What happens to your consistency and integrity when your deliberate values don't line up with your default values?
Connecting activity: list personal values, define them, talk about them, can any merge or coordinate or compliment or nest under a combined value? Include kids over 7 in the fun!
Resource: You Version has a Family ID: 31 Days of Building Your Family's Values which is a great list of values from which to choose with Scriptures. Can you find your top 5?
1st month assessment: 1)Examine relationships. Who do you agree with most? Why? What do you both truly value that connects you? Who do you experience most conflict with and why? Can you see what you value? Simply observe what matters to you; don't evaluate the other person as right or wrong; just notice differences.
2) Monetary investment. This is the most tangible assessment.
Over a month, observe the values on which you are currently acting. Prayerfully consider if they are actually what you want to value. Be deeply honest to determine the extent of the value and the level of consciousness involved. Discuss with God and spouse throughout the process.
-keep track this month of all money, even "little money"
-Which money is easy to spend? Why is it easy? Is there any spending that happens when seeking "comfort"?
-Which money is hard to spend? Why is it a challenge?
-If you had a money tree, what would you buy first?
-If saving is easy for you, what value drives that? Security? Preparedness? pride in being responsible or controlled? Something else?
-If saving is hard, why? Takes from spontaneity? Want to give extra away? etc?
Email modelparentingpodcast@gmail.com for worksheets. Check next week's notes for questions about using the more abstract concept of time investment to examine what you are currently valuing in "default" mode.
