Draw your family tree – start by drawing in your parents – a square for your father – (males are squares) and a circle for your mother (females are circles) – draw a horizontal line between them and if they are married put in the date of the marriage above the line.
Start from the left side and draw vertical lines ending in squares and circles for yourself and your siblings – starting with the eldest.
Put grand parents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins above, in the same manner and add your own marriages, partners and children for yourself and your siblings.
If you are married or in a relationship add in your spouse or partner’s family tree in the same way.
Write the date of birth and if deceased the date of death and cause of death next to each person and the dates of marriages or separation or divorce if this has occurred.
When you have completed your family tree think about or discuss with family members these questions-
- How does your family deal with stress?
- How does your family express affection?
- How does your family deal with conflict?
- Does your family discuss problems?
- How does your family celebrate events and achievements?
- Who are you most like in the family?
- Who do you most admire in the family?
