1. Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your merit badge counselor
- People who care for one another
- Show loyalty
- Take care of one another
- Provide food and shelter
- Emotional support
- Help heal
- Show respect and share ideas
- Have common interests in religion, language, and heritage
Tell why families are important to individuals and to society.
Individuals
- Having someone to care about and take care of an individual
- Someone to talk to, share ideas
- Someone to support one's goals
- Healthy families produce individuals who make positive contributions to the community
- Families often model positive and caring attitudes
- Good families can help reduce crimes
Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members
If a member shows positive actions, it can strengthen relationships, boost moods, and make others happy. Positive actions can be a model for younger family members.
If a member shows negative actions, it can strain relationships, cause anxiety, and make each other unhappy. Negative actions should not be modeled to younger members.
If a member shows negative actions, it can strain relationships, cause anxiety, and make each other unhappy. Negative actions should not be modeled to younger members.
2. List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor
Why I am important to my family:
I talked to my dad about my role. He and my mom want me to do "better" in life than they did. They want me to be successful and take care of myself, my future family, and others.
- I am the fifth generation of William R Hendricks
- I may take care of my grandparents or parents one day
- I plan to start my own family one day
- I plan to go to college and be able to take care of myself
- I plan to continue to go to church, volunteer for service, and live a good life
I talked to my dad about my role. He and my mom want me to do "better" in life than they did. They want me to be successful and take care of myself, my future family, and others.
3. Prepare 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
Pick Up Dog Droppings in Back Yard
How often?: Every Saturday before dad cuts the grass
We got a new dog and I volunteered to clean up after him. My dad helped to remind me to clean up before he cut the grass. I used a special "pooper scooper" to clean up the waste. I bagged up the waste and threw it in the garbage. This is a chore that I am paid an allowance for.
Clean Out the Cat box
How often?: Every two days
We have three cats and we need to clean out the litter box often. I share this job with my mom. This is a chore that I am paid an allowance for.
Water the Plants Outside During Summer
How often?: Every day in the morning
This summer was HOT and DRY! My mom asked me to water the plants outside so they wouldn't die. I also had some vegetables that I planted that I wanted to grow. I would turn on the water, go around the backyard, and water the trees, shrubs, and flowers. I kept this up until some of the plants died while we were on vacation.
Clean my Room
How often?: Every day as needed - small cleaning
I love to keep my room tidy and clean, so it is not really a chore to keep up with. I like to make my bed everyday, put my clothes away in the drawers, put dirty clothes in the hamper, and organize my belongings. I take a lot of pride in my space.
Vacuum the upstairs
How often?: Every Sunday
Because we have so many animals, we have a lot of dust and fur. I like to vacuum often to keep the carpets clean. Keeping the carpets clean helps to reduce sneezing and watery eyes. I consider it a healthy habit.
See chore schedule below - thank you dad for the template!
Discuss with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.
It provides the family with cleaner floors, less disgusting smells, a clean backyard, and healthier environment. This also helps by spreading out the responsibilities in my home.
4. With 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.
My great-grandmother (Mama Sue) was feeling very sad earlier this year because she had fallen and was having difficulties doing yard work. I decided to try to make her happier by working in her yard and planting some flowers to make her patio more beautiful. I noticed that Mama Sue had many pots, but most had dead plants in them. I thought adding some new flowers could lift her mood.
I worked with my mom and dad to purchase many flowers and soil for planting around her yard. I also asked my dad to bring some tools so we could remove dead branches and clean up her yard.
I worked with my mom and dad to purchase many flowers and soil for planting around her yard. I also asked my dad to bring some tools so we could remove dead branches and clean up her yard.
Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited your family
My family picked a weekend that we were free, and went to Lowe's. My mom helped us pick out 15-20 different varieties of flowers for planting. We also purchased some soil for planting.
We arrived at Mama Sue's house in the morning, and we had her show us where she wanted the plants. The first step was to throw away all the dead plants. We also found ants in some pots, so we emptied the soil in those as well. We added soil, planted the flowers, and arranged the pots around the patio. When we started to plant, we also noticed that some pots were very moist. My dad noticed the pots did not have holes for draining. Dad got his drill and I helped drill holes in the bottom of the pots. There was a lot of water coming out of the new holes!
When we finished planting, I used the blower to clear of the patio of leaves and dirt. We also went around the trees to remove dead limbs that could fall on my great-grandmother. And we also pulled weeds from the flower beds.
Mama Sue felt very happy to have company and was very excited about the new flowers. She was sure to tell us that she would water the flowers everyday to make sure they stayed pretty. I think she enjoyed spending time on the patio after having new flowers in her pots.
We arrived at Mama Sue's house in the morning, and we had her show us where she wanted the plants. The first step was to throw away all the dead plants. We also found ants in some pots, so we emptied the soil in those as well. We added soil, planted the flowers, and arranged the pots around the patio. When we started to plant, we also noticed that some pots were very moist. My dad noticed the pots did not have holes for draining. Dad got his drill and I helped drill holes in the bottom of the pots. There was a lot of water coming out of the new holes!
When we finished planting, I used the blower to clear of the patio of leaves and dirt. We also went around the trees to remove dead limbs that could fall on my great-grandmother. And we also pulled weeds from the flower beds.
Mama Sue felt very happy to have company and was very excited about the new flowers. She was sure to tell us that she would water the flowers everyday to make sure they stayed pretty. I think she enjoyed spending time on the patio after having new flowers in her pots.
5. Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family
5-A. The objective or goal of the project
My parents' closet collapsed from old age and made a mess. My dad and I will be repairing the broken closet.
- Look at damage
- Clean out the closet
- Remove the broken closet wire shelves
- Replace the shelves with new shelves
- Put back all the stuff in the closet
5-B. How individual members of your family participated
Me
- Help to clean out the mess
- Help to install the new shelves
- Put back all the stuff into the new closet
- Clean up
- Help clean out the mess
- Help to pick the shelves
- Pay for it
- Use tools to install
5-C. Results of the project
My parents and I had to first clean out the closet. We took out all of the the clothes, shoes, and boxes and stored them in another room. After cleaning out the mess, we looked at the the damage and found it wasn't as bad as it looked. The walls were not damaged and we will only need to get a new wire shelf and some attachments for the wall.
My dad and I went to the hardware store to get a new shelf and clips for the wall. We had to measure out the size we needed to buy. My dad has all the needed tools, so we just bought the shelving.
When we got home, I helped dad measure, drill holes, and attach the shelf to the wall. We used a level to make sure the shelf is level. We also added an additional support for the shelf to be sure the closet will not collapse again.
When we finished installing the shelf, we had to put back all the clothes, shoes, and other items. I helped to vacuum and clean up the trash. Dad I and also put up the tools that we used back in the garage.
My dad and I went to the hardware store to get a new shelf and clips for the wall. We had to measure out the size we needed to buy. My dad has all the needed tools, so we just bought the shelving.
When we got home, I helped dad measure, drill holes, and attach the shelf to the wall. We used a level to make sure the shelf is level. We also added an additional support for the shelf to be sure the closet will not collapse again.
When we finished installing the shelf, we had to put back all the clothes, shoes, and other items. I helped to vacuum and clean up the trash. Dad I and also put up the tools that we used back in the garage.
6. Do the following:
6-A. Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting
For our family meeting, we will
- Discuss a time for the meeting
- Plan out what we are going to discuss
- Have someone lead the meeting
- Everyone gets a chance to speak their story or viewpoint
- Everyone should listen
- Come to a solution or agreement on topic
- Everyone repeats the results
6-B. After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting* to include the following subjects:
6-B-1. Avoiding substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, all of which negatively affect your health and well-being
.Tobacco
Everyone in the family agrees that they will not smoke or use tobacco products. We talked about the health impacts of tobacco use. My dad has had family members die from smoking-related cancer. It is not worth it. We also talked about how expensive and wasteful smoking can be.
Alcohol
My family has discussed alcohol use with me and my brother. First off, I should never even touch alcohol until age of 21 as it is against the law for me to have it before then. Next, alcohol has some serious consequences, such as getting into fights, drinking and driving issues, and potential addiction. My family has people that are alcoholics, so it is important to be aware of potential risks of addiction.
Drugs
Under NO circumstance should I ever abuse drugs. My parents have discussed the risks involved in recreational use of drugs. There are consequences such as getting arrested, getting addicted, or hurting myself or others. My body is very important to me and I want to keep myself physically fit and clean 😉.
Everyone in the family agrees that they will not smoke or use tobacco products. We talked about the health impacts of tobacco use. My dad has had family members die from smoking-related cancer. It is not worth it. We also talked about how expensive and wasteful smoking can be.
Alcohol
My family has discussed alcohol use with me and my brother. First off, I should never even touch alcohol until age of 21 as it is against the law for me to have it before then. Next, alcohol has some serious consequences, such as getting into fights, drinking and driving issues, and potential addiction. My family has people that are alcoholics, so it is important to be aware of potential risks of addiction.
Drugs
Under NO circumstance should I ever abuse drugs. My parents have discussed the risks involved in recreational use of drugs. There are consequences such as getting arrested, getting addicted, or hurting myself or others. My body is very important to me and I want to keep myself physically fit and clean 😉.
6-B-2. Understanding the growing-up process and how the body changes, and making responsible decisions dealing with sex
My dad and I have had "the talk" about the opposite sex. My dad has described what I should expect from puberty including height changes, voice changes, getting hair everywhere, and maturity of sexual organs.
My dad has talked to me about sexual intercourse and advised me to wait as long as I can, preferable as an adult. Consequences, such as pregnancy and diseases can great affect my future plans. My parents want me to be safe and health and would prefer me to wait for sex.
My dad has talked to me about sexual intercourse and advised me to wait as long as I can, preferable as an adult. Consequences, such as pregnancy and diseases can great affect my future plans. My parents want me to be safe and health and would prefer me to wait for sex.
6-B-3. How your chores in requirement 3 contributed to your role in the family
The chores that I do help to provide a clean household and makes our house a better place to live. Helping with chores also takes some of the tasks away from my parents, and lets them focus on other things. Doing chores also teaches you to be responsible and helps me learn how to take care of myself.
6-B-4. Personal and family finances
My parents always teach me to be responsible with money. My parents have always stressed that I should save money when I have it. I will often save up for larger purchases and do extra work for earning money.
As for family finances, my parents encourage spending wisely. We will often find the best prices for our needs and wants. If we have a large purchase to make, we will plan and save for it.
As for family finances, my parents encourage spending wisely. We will often find the best prices for our needs and wants. If we have a large purchase to make, we will plan and save for it.
6-B-5. A crisis situation within your family
When my great-grandmother passed away, my family gathered together to share the bad news. My mom and dad comforted me and my brother and explained the situation to us. We talked about the funeral and the importance of being together as a family and supporting each other.
6-B-6. The effect of technology on your family
My family set a rule at a very young age that we are not allowed to have devices at the dinner table. We use the time at dinner to talk to each other.
My family has also discussed the dangers of mature games and content on the internet. My parents watch our internet usage very closely and make sure that we are safe.
My family has also discussed the dangers of mature games and content on the internet. My parents watch our internet usage very closely and make sure that we are safe.
6-B-7. Good etiquette and manners:
My dad has always had me show polite manners to grownups. Dad always correct me when I don't use "Yes/No Sir/Ma'am" when responding to adults. My parents have taught me to say "thank you" and "please" when interacting with adults.
7. Discuss with your counselor your understanding of what makes an effective parent
A good parent treats their kid with kindness, sets boundaries, gives instructions, makes sure I do well in school, and participates in my activities.
And why?
Raise their children correctly and to function well in the world. Teach me to be a better person and shows me a way to be successful. Raise me to have respect for others and treat others with kindness.
And your thoughts on the parent's role and responsibility in the family
Parents should:
- Protect me
- Provide shelter, food, and clothing
- Help me in times of need
- Take care of me when I have an illness
- Provide guidance and suggestions when I don't know what to do
Award
- Requirements for the badge were completed on 11/22/2021
- The badge was awarded on 11/29/2021 at the Court of Honor ceremony
Sources
- Virtual Class details - www.chickasaw.org/family-life-virtual
- Workbook details - usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Family-Life.pdf
- filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Family_Life.pdf