Family Activity #5: Our Family's Why Flower

Suggested Age: 7–12

Time: 10–15 minutes

1. WHY TRY THIS?

Every family has beliefs and values that help guide how its members live, make choices, and treat others.

This activity builds on the Identity Flower by helping parents and children explore why family, bodies, relationships, identity, and beliefs matter to their family.

The goal is connection, understanding, and conversation.

2. WHAT YOU NEED

Your Identity Flower from Family Activity #1, or a piece of paper and colored pencils.

3. TRY THIS TOGETHER

Parent Introduction

"Remember our Identity Flowers? Today, let's look at the same five petals and talk about why each one matters to our family."

Step 1 — Explore Your Five Petals

Look at each petal together. Parents can explain their family's beliefs and invite their child's thoughts.

Petal 1 — My Family

Why does family matter to us?

Parent: "Our family is important because we love, care for, and support one another."

Petal 2 — My Body

Why does taking care of our bodies matter?

Parent: "We believe our bodies deserve care, privacy, and respect."

Petal 3 — Who I Like

Why do relationships matter?

Parent: "We believe love, friendship, and attraction are important parts of life. We want our relationships to reflect our values."

Petal 4 — How I See Myself

Why does understanding ourselves matter?

Parent: "Knowing who we are helps us make thoughtful choices. We also respect people who understand or express themselves differently."

Petal 5 — My Beliefs

Why are our family's beliefs important?

Parent: "Our beliefs help guide our choices and how we treat other people."

Step 2 — Add Your Family's Why

Invite your child to write or draw one reason beside each petal showing why it matters to your family.

Step 3 — Look at Your Flower Together

Explain that families may have different beliefs about gender, attraction, marriage, and relationships.

You might say:

"We can understand what our family believes and why, while treating people with different beliefs or experiences with kindness and respect."

Child Choice

Your child may write, draw, talk, or leave a petal blank.

This activity is not a test.

4. CONSIDER PAUSE ✶ — THEN TALK

If something your child shares catches your attention:

Pause ✶ — "Something caught your attention. Notice it. Do nothing yet."

Then, if helpful, use:

💬 Learn Your Why — "Why does this matter to our family?"

You might ask:

• "Which petal tells us something important about our family's values?"
• "Why does that matter to our family?"
• "How do our beliefs influence the way we treat others?"

One question may be enough. Sometimes Pause alone is enough.

5. ASK GRANNY

Have questions about family beliefs, identity, attraction, gender, or relationships?

Ask Granny.

Granny can help parents and caregivers explain their family values and find age-appropriate words for meaningful conversations.

Direct Ask Granny link to be connected.

6. BACK TO FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Want to revisit the original flower activity? Family Activity #1: Identity Flower