How does your family work? Is it run with everyone's hair on fire, or is there a road map that guides behavior, purpose, standards, spirit, and values? How much richer could your lives be if you had a family mission statement, decided by the family, for the family?

Businesses have them so they don't lose sight of what's important as time goes by. Can you see how a written family mission plan can assist you along the bumpy road, knowing that your family shares a "big picture" vision?

Just the process of creating a family mission statement will help your family become closer, as children know that you are listening to them and that their opinions matter. They will learn important life skills to help them work in teams. They will gain a clearer picture of who they are and where they came from, giving them a strong sense of self.

So, try to pull them away from their iPads and phones, and promise them a special family night that could change the rest of their life. Your family life can be more intentional rather than being swept away by life!