This post is brought to you by UP, but thoughts and opinions are my own.
Family is forever. While you don’t always get to pick your family, you can rest assure that they’ll always be around, even the crazy ones! 😉
Strong family values like working hard, being gracious, and standing up for what you believe in were instilled in me from the day I was born. Those are still words I live by today. Once I married my husband, he brought different family values, like a strong faith that we now incorporate into our family life.
Do you have family mottos or words you live by?
Here are a few traditional Family Mottos:
- Family – where life begins and love never ends
- Do what you love
- Never let success get to your head
- Follow your dreams
- Believe in yourself
A newer tradition I established with our family is a gratitude jar. Starting my blog several years ago, I had no idea where it would take us. Our family has been blessed to experience some of the most wonderful events and activities, and because of that I want to ensure my boys stay grounded. I remind them often that no two families are the same and they are very lucky, which is why I found it important to inspire this new tradition.
When both boys were old enough to talk – we began the gratitude jar. Each week we take a few minutes as a family to write down special moments we want to remember, and be thankful for. On New Years Eve of each year, we open the jar and relive all the memories. It’s such a fun activity and a great way to instill quality values like being humble and grateful with even the littlest of family members.
Speaking of family mottos, the UP network believes in quality entertainment, which is why their mantra is “we get family.”
One of their most popular original shows is returning for its 4th season on June 2nd at 9PM ET. Bringing Up Bates is a family docu-series that follows the lives of Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, proud parents of 19 children and a growing number of grandchildren. In the new season, change is in the air as a lot of the kids are beginning to forge their own paths outside of the family. From new loves, to new careers and new babies, the Bates are experiencing both the highs and lows of life. Tune in to meet the whole family!
The members of the Bates family live by their values and have great quotes about encouragement, family and love. Here’s just a few of their Bates sound bites:
“Popsicles and Band-Aids are the universal fix for any problem.” – Gil Bates
“If you don’t have big dreams, you’ll never go anywhere in life.” – Tori
“What’s an average size family? Average for me growing up was a new kid every year.” – Zach
Check out the season premiere trailer below:
Don’t forget to tune in for the premiere of Bringing Up Bates on June 2nd at 9PM ET! The new season airs every Thursday evening on UP network.
@BringingUpBates Premiere Twitter Chat
Join me for the #BringingUpBates Twitter chat on June 2nd from 9-10PM ET which will feature some of your favorite cast members and amazing prize giveaways!
It’s your turn – share some of your family mottos with us below!
Katrina | TOTSFamily.com says
“What’s an average size family? Average for me growing up was a new kid every year.” – Zach. This is an awesome quote and goes to show family is what you make it.
Jennifer says
So true!
Denise Hoyle says
I love your gratitude jar idea and I’m going to “borrow” it!
Jennifer says
Awesome – you will love it Denise!
Kelly Dye says
Thanks for sharing! I love the Gratitude Jar idea. I don’t even have kids but I think maybe I need to do this for myself to help keep perspective. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in all the small stuff you forget how lucky you are. 🙂
Jennifer says
Absolutely! We as adults also get value in remembering to be grateful – plus it’s fun to review all of your moments at the end of the year. 🙂
Amy Desrosiers says
I have watched this show and few times and enjoy it. I remember first discovering them on the Duggar show.
candy @ mommypalooza says
Love this idea of a gratitude jar!
Sheri says
Our family motto is “Experiences, not things”. I love the gratitude jar too!
Jennifer says
That’s a great motto Sheri!
@SensiblySara says
I think we will start a gratitude jar this summer. I love this, “If you don’t have big dreams, you’ll never go anywhere in life.” – Tori
Allison says
I wouldn’t say that we have any specific mottos, but family first is a big theme in our home!
Ashley says
We don’t really have any mottos really but now I need to think about this and make some!
Jasmine Espinal says
Love the idea of the jar! We don’t really have a motto but I do like yours 🙂