Family Life Merit Badge

Family LifeMerit Badge

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Family Life Merit Badge

Who?

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John Green @johndashgreen facebook.com/jgreenPiedmont Council, BSA

Slidestinyurl.com/familylifebadge


What?

Status: Eagle requiredCreated: 1991Requirements revision: 2015Latest pamphlet revision: 2014

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Why?The family is the basic unit of society and is important to both individuals and communities.

The world is rapidly changing, making today's society much more complex than ever before.

This merit badge, will show you why its important to know more about family life and how to strengthen your family.

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How?By showing you:What a family isHow family members affect each otherHow to plan a family projectHow to conduct a family meetingWhat an effective father isHow to positively contribute to the family

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How To Earn the Family Life Merit Badge

READ the entire Merit Badge booklet

MEET the requirements as stated - no more, no less – if it says:• "Prepare" that is what you must do• "List" you need to make a list• "Plan and Carry Out" just do it• "Discuss" that requires conversation

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TODAYThis class will introduce the material and get you started on the badge. At least 90 days will be required to complete the badge.

There are a few requirements that you can complete today. All of them require you to “Discuss”.

You don’t talk in class – I don’t sign you off on those requirements.


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AFTER TODAYFind a Merit Badge Counselor to complete the badge.


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BACK TO TODAY

Have FunScouting is supposed to be fun and I will do my best to make this class as fun as it can be.

Classroom BehaviorHave fun and participate but unruly behavior will not be tolerated. I will kick you out of class.

Merit Badge Worksheets

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SUCKTHE FUN OUT OF MERIT BADGES

Merit Badge Worksheets

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They are unofficial, discouraged by the BSA, and the Guide to Advancement.

Requirements aren’t meant to be completed by filling in a blank on some worksheet. You are meant to learn through experience.

Can be used for actual writing requirements but even then they only provide black lines on a page. Making your own document is a much better choice.


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Name, rank, and favorite candy


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Requirement 1Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your merit badge counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society. Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members.


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Requirement 1Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your merit badge counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society. Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members.


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Prepare an outline on what a family is …

Outline on what a Family is

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The basic unit of society

Strong families are the foundation of strong communities


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Foundation for physical, emotional, social, intellectual and moral development• People who live together and care deeply for each

other • Care for and support each other • Give and receive love • Share language, foods, culture, heritage • Give strength to one another


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Family Structures

• Two parent families / One parent families • Step families • Extended families • Adoptive families• Foster families• Long distance families • Large / small families

Family Structures

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Let’s play a game called

Family Structures

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Nuclear Family

• Father• Mother• Children

Family Structures

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• Extended Family - grandparents, cousins, etc.• Single Parent Family• Blended Family - stepparents, stepbrothers,

stepsisters• Adoptive Family - not biologically related• Foster Family - not related, arranged by

government

Family Structures

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Childless Family

Positive Family Traits

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• LoveCaring for each other unconditionally

• SecurityPhysical and psychological safety

• Acceptance and RespectFor yourself and others

• Mutual TrustActions and decisions determine your trust – NOT words

Positive Family Traits

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• Good Relationships and Communication SkillsListening and talking prevents misunderstanding

• Shared Roles and ResponsibilitiesInterdependence


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Requirement 2List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor.


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Requirement 2List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor.


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Requirement 2

So you go do that.You can do it!


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Requirement 3Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them. Discuss with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.


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Requirement 3Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them. Discuss with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.


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Requirement 3


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Requirement 3

Make your ownChart or consult theGreat oracle Google


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Requirement 3 – Exercise

I need a volunteer

Exercise

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Each balloon represents:Shovel Snow

Feed PetsClean Bathroom

Make BedsLaundry

TrashWash DishesCook Meals


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Requirement 4With the approval of your parents or guardians and your merit badge counselor, decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited your family.

Project Ideas For You To Benefit Your Family

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Organize storage areasPaint a room

Prepare a family meal Clean the garage, attic or basement

Wash windows and screensDetail a car

Mulch garden bedsRake yard

Prune trees and shrubsBuild and place birdfeedersMove furniture and vacuum


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Requirement 5Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor:

a. The objective or goal of the projectb. How individual members of your family

participatedc. The results of the project

Project Ideas For Your Family To Do

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Prepare a week’s worth of family mealsHelp out at a Food Bank

Assist with a community beautification projectAssist at an animal shelter

Collect clothing for donationPlan a program for people in long-term care facilities

Plan and conduct a garage saleHave a regular family night once a week

Bake sale that benefits a local organization

Project Report

Project Plan and Execution – be able to answer:

• What did you do? • Why did you do it? • Who benefited? • What did you need? • How did you do it? • When did you do it? • Did you need permission?

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Project Report

Project Plan Evaluation – be able to answer:

• What did you accomplish?• How did it make you feel?• How does your family feel about it?• How did the person or family as a whole benefit?• What worked well?• What would you do differently?

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Requirement 6Do the following:a. Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.b. After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting to include the following subjects:

1. Avoiding substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, all of which negatively affect your health and well-being

2. Understanding the growing-up process and how the body changes, and making responsible decisions dealing with sex

3. How your chores in requirement 3 contributed to your role in the family4. Personal and family finances5. A crisis situation within your family6. The effect of technology on your family7. Good etiquette and manners


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Requirement 6 – Good News and Bad News

Doctor: I have some good news and I have some bad news.Patient: What's the good news?Doctor: The good news is that the tests you took

showed that you have 24 hours to live.Patient: That's the good news? What's the bad news?Doctor: The bad news is ... I forgot to call you

yesterday!


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Requirement 6 – Good News and Bad News

The good news is – we can do 6a


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Requirement 6a. Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to

plan and carry out a family meeting.


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Discuss how to plan and carry out a family meeting …

Plan A Family Meeting

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• Scheduled time• Written agenda• Appoint a Meeting Leader but include everyone• Talk about situations and behavior, not people• Avoiding sibling “attitudes”• Stay serious and positive• Write down family conclusions on each topic

Topic That Must Be Covered in Your Family Meeting

Avoiding substance abuse,Understanding your body changes, and making

responsible decisions about sexChores

Personal and family financesA crisis situation within your family

The effect of technology on your familyGood etiquette and manners

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May Take More Than One Meeting

Avoiding substance abuse,Understanding your body changes, and making

responsible decisions about sexChores

Personal and family financesA crisis situation within your family

The effect of technology on your familyGood etiquette and manners

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Requirement 7Discuss the following with your counselor:a. Your understanding of what makes an effective father and why, and your thoughts on the father's role in the familyb. Your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.


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Requirement 7Discuss the following with your counselor:a. Your understanding of what makes an effective father and why, and your thoughts on the father's role in the familyb. Your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.


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What makes an effective father…

What Makes an Effective Father

• Spends quality time with spouse and each child• Listens to his spouse and children• Offers encouragement and builds confidence• Solves problems• Stays cool under pressure• Watches out for safety risks• Sets a good example

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Responsibilities of a parent…

Responsibilities of a Parent

Parents Provide:• Safe Environment• Basic needs• Self Esteem• Morals and Values• Mutual Respect• Discipline• Education

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Blue Card Time

If you participated in class today and discussed with me – I will sign off on a few requirements.

The rest is up to the Merit Badge Counselor that completes the badge with you.

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Family LifeMerit Badge

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Presentations & Public Speaking

Family Life Merit Badge