Thoughtful communication and teamwork are essential foundations of a happy family. Earning the Eagle-required Family Life merit badge will help you to discover the roles you play and patterns you exhibit within your home, hopefully bringing your family closer together along the way!
In this guide, I’ll be presenting you with thought-provoking questions that’ll help you to answer each of the Family Life knowledge requirements and complete your merit badge worksheet. Take the time to think through your answers and connect with your family members. One day, you might be using what you’ve learned here to build a family of your own. 🙂
Before we get started, if you have other Eagle-required merit badges to earn, I’d recommend checking out my Difficulty Ranking Guide to Every Eagle-required Badge. There, you’ll also find the links to my other merit badge guides, as well as a description and summary of each badge’s requirements. I’m certain this resource will be helpful to Scouts on their road to Eagle!
Also, remember that ScoutSmarts should just serve as your starting point for merit badge research. In school, we’re taught not to plagiarize, and the same is true for Scouting worksheets. Answer these questions in your own words, do further research, and I promise you’ll gain much more from every merit badge you earn!
It’s time to get started. Thoroughly read through each requirement of the Family Life merit badge below. (You can also find the official requirements on the Scouting America Family Life page.) Then, put your thinking cap on because we’re about to begin breaking down the roles you play in your family life.
What Are The Family Life Merit Badge Requirements?
- Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society. Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members.
- List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parent or guardian and with your counselor.
- 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. Discuss with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.
- With the approval of your parent or guardian and your counselor, decide on and carry out an individual project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. After completion, discuss the objective or goal and the results of the project with your family and then your counselor.
- Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your counselor:
- (a) The objective or goal of the project
- (b) How individual members of your family participated
- (c) The results of the project
- Do the following:
- (a) Discuss with your counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.
- (b) Prepare a meeting agenda that includes the following topics, review it with your parent or guardian, and then carry out one or more family meetings:
- (1) How living the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law contributes to your family life
- (2) The greatest dangers and addictions facing youth in today’s society (examples include mental health challenges, use of tobacco products, alcohol, or drugs and other items such as debts, social media, etc.)
- (3) Discuss with a parent or guardian how bodily changes can affect the choices you make as you physically and mentally mature.
- (4) Personal and family finances
- (5) A crisis situation within your family and whom you can turn to for support during these situations.
- (6) The effect of technology on your family
- (7) Good etiquette and manners
- Discuss with your counselor your understanding of what makes an effective parent or guardian and why, and your thoughts on the parent or guardian’s role and responsibilities in the family.
Family Life Requirement 1: Defining Your Family
1) Prepare 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.
The word ‘family’ can mean different things to different people. Strictly speaking, a family is a group of people related by blood or marriage. However, to some, the definition of a family can extend to those they love or have strong connections to.
At its core, families are groups of people in interaction with each other. Effective families provide individuals with a sense of safety and belonging. Parents teach their children, and eventually, those same children start their own families. In a sense, a family is like a mini-society.
Families are important to society because all members of our society are also part of their own family. If their family teaches them well, an individual in our society will contribute to others and act morally. That’s why proper families are so important!
Think about it this way: A family is like a team where every player matters. If one person has a bad day, the whole household can feel it. But when one member steps up – whether it’s by helping out, listening, or just being there – the positive ripple effect is just as powerful.
Because families within our society are so interconnected, the actions of just one individual can create ripple effects that extend far beyond themselves. If you’re interested in how community and family connect, check out the Citizenship in the Community merit badge!
Family Life Requirement 2: Your Importance to Your Family
2) List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parent or guardian and with your counselor.
First, always remember that your family’s love for you is unconditional, meaning that no matter what happens, you’ll always hold a place in their lives that no one else can fill.
To find specific reasons as to why you’re important to others, first examine the roles you play within your family:
- Alongside being your parents’ child, are you also a sibling?
- How about a grandchild?
- Do you have pets — maybe you’re also a caretaker?
Each of the roles you play make you important to someone else within your family.
On top of these roles that you embody, now ask yourself, ‘What do you do?’
- Do you have any chores or responsibilities within your family?
- Do your parents or siblings have any expectations of you?
- What do you do on a daily basis to give back to your family?
Once you’ve spent some time reflecting on all of this, try having an open conversation with your family members. Ask them what you mean to them. You’ll probably hear reasons you never would have come up with on your own, and that can be a powerful reminder of just how important you truly are!
Family Life Requirement 3: 90 Days of Home Duties
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. Discuss with your counselor the effect your chores had on your family.
The best way to complete this requirement is to think of chores that you already do. I’m sure you have way more than five home duties that you perform on a regular basis! All you need to do now is to print my schedule and note down each time you finish a chore.
On the left is a picture of a printable PDF that’ll help you to record your home duties over a period of 90 days. You can download your own copy by clicking the button below.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on some home duties you could add to your plan, here are some chores that I did growing up:
- Set the dining table before each meal
- Helped wash the car each month
- Cleaned up my possessions from around the house each week
- Moved laundry from the washer to the dryer and folded clothes
- Cleaned my pet’s cage daily
- Brought the mail into the house
- Collected and took out the garbage on trash days
- Occasionally washed the dishes
- Mowed the lawn when I was older
- Sometimes helped with cooking
- Vacuumed the house
You might be thinking that chores are just another way for your parents to get you to do extra work. However, regularly doing chores can have a positive effect on your family.
Here are a few benefits of regularly performing home duties:
- Paying you for completing chores can help your parents provide you with more money and freedom as you get older.
- You’ll learn valuable skills needed to run your own household in the future.
- Working on chores together can help your family become closer.
- Routinely performing chores will show your family that you’re becoming responsible.
- Your family works hard to raise you. Helping them around the house will lessen their stress and make them appreciate you even more.
Bonus tip: When I was around 14, I realized I was doing all of these chores for free! I wrote out a long list of my regular responsibilities and then brought it to my parents. We first talked about the home duties I was performing regularly. Afterward, I asked if I could help to pay for my own entertainment by receiving an allowance for my work.
They were surprised by how much I did and agreed to give me an allowance each week ($15 if all chores were completed)! When you’re working on this requirement, asking for an allowance or raise might be worth trying.
Family Life Requirement 4: Your Home Improvement Project
4) With the approval of your parent or guardian and your counselor, decide on and carry out an individual project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. After completion, discuss the objective or goal and the results of the project with your family and then your counselor.
This project doesn’t need to be too large, as requirement five will have you carry out another project involving the participation of your family. Some things that you could do to help your family and complete this requirement include:
- Create an organizational system for clutter: Is there a part of your house that always seems a bit messy? Create a box or some sort of folder to contain the mess. Then, teach your family how to use the system so that the area doesn’t become messy in the future!
- Make a useful item: Use your creativity to create a craft that’ll be helpful around your house. You could create something as simple as a decoration outside your door, or as complex as an automatic coat rack!
Since every household is different, you should find a project that’ll best fit you and your family. Create something that you can be proud of, and improve it over time. Being able to create things is one of the greatest skills you can develop in your life!
Key change from the old requirement: You no longer need to submit a written report. Instead, have a conversation with your family about the project first, then discuss the objective, process, and results with your counselor. Focus on what you learned and how it helped your household.
Family Life Requirement 5: Your Family Project
5) Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor:
5a) The objective or goal of the project
5b) How individual members of your family participated
5c) The results of the project
Your parents might already have a few home improvement projects in mind. If you don’t have any project ideas, I’d recommend asking them for suggestions. Below are a few examples of fun home projects that would satisfy this requirement:
- Painting or replacing your mailbox: It seems like mailboxes are always needing more care. Replacing or painting your mailbox could be a great family project to do over the weekend.
- Planting a small herb garden: Do your parents cook? Getting a few pots of common cooking herbs like oregano and parsley will be a great project to improve your home (watering the plants could also be an easy chore).
- Cleaning and donating old items: If you’re like me when I was a teen, your room is probably getting pretty cluttered. A great project for your family could be to clean your house while going through all of your belongings. Look for things to donate or dump.
- Room remodeling: Sick of any rooms in your house? With your parents’ help and permission, completely reorganize. See if your family can change up the old room to create a fresh new look.
The point of this requirement is to work together with your family and improve your household. Don’t see this as a chore, and have fun with whatever project you pick!
Pro tip for your counselor discussion: For part (b), be specific about who did what. Instead of saying “my family helped,” explain that “my mom picked out paint colors, my dad taught me how to use the roller, and my sister taped off the trim.” Counselors love hearing details!
Family Life Requirement 6: The Family Meeting
6a) Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.
A family meeting should be scheduled a few days ahead of time, with its agenda being laid out beforehand. When planning your own family meeting for this requirement, write out a list of subjects to cover as well as questions to consider.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when carrying out your family meeting:
- Be respectful of your family member’s opinions.
- Allow whoever’s speaking to finish their statements before talking.
- Use ‘I feel’ statements, rather than ‘you’ statements to avoid being confrontational.
- Relax and have fun. The goal of a family meeting is to encourage improvement and connectedness.
If you’re looking for more tips on running productive conversations, the Eagle-required Communication merit badge is a great companion badge that covers active listening and group discussion skills.
6b) Prepare a meeting agenda that includes the following topics, review it with your parent or guardian, and then carry out one or more family meetings:
Thoughtfully consider each topic and take note of the subjects that are most relevant to your life and well-being. Since every family situation is different, under each section I’ve also included a few conversation-starting questions that you and your family can discuss during the meeting.
Note: Some of the issues surrounding requirement 6 could be considered very personal. Get your parent or guardian’s permission reviewing this requirement with your counselor. Discussion of each of these subjects will very likely carry over to more than one family meeting.
6b I) How living the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law contributes to your family life
The Scout Oath and Scout Law aren’t just words you recite at the beginning of troop meetings, they’re principles that shape how you treat the people closest to you. Think about how being “Trustworthy” and “Loyal” plays out at home every day.
With your family, consider the following questions:
- Which points of the Scout Law do you already practice at home? Which ones could you improve on?
- How does doing your “duty to other people” (from the Scout Oath) show up in the way you treat your siblings or parents?
- Can you think of a time when being “Helpful” or “Kind” made a real difference in your household?
6b II) The greatest dangers and addictions facing youth in today’s society
This topic goes beyond just substance abuse. The updated requirement asks you to discuss mental health challenges, tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, debt, social media, and more. Throughout life, you should always be making an effort to avoid unhealthy addictions and bad habits.
Substance abuse is an especially toxic form of addiction that can negatively impact your relationships, as well as your mental and physical health. But today’s teens also face pressures from social media, online gambling, and the stress of constant comparison.
- Are you currently experiencing any negative thoughts or emotions? What are your coping mechanisms? Will these actions help you in the long run?
- Do you know anyone with an addiction problem? How can this issue hurt the people around them?
- How much time do you spend on social media daily? Does it make you feel better or worse about yourself?
If you or someone you know is struggling, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is free, confidential, and available 24/7. There is zero shame in asking for help.
6b III) Discuss with a parent or guardian how bodily changes can affect the choices you make as you physically and mentally mature.
Bodily changes are a natural part of growing up and are nothing to be ashamed of. By being aware of the shifts your body will experience, you’ll be better equipped to make responsible choices as you mature.
- How is your body expected to change within the next few years?
- How is your family willing to support you in going through these changes?
- How can mood swings or new emotions affect the decisions you make?
- What strategies can help you pause before reacting?
For more in-depth information, KidsHealth’s guide to puberty is a trusted resource that explains what to expect in a straightforward way.
6b IV) Personal and family finances
A household, like a country, must have a balanced budget to run effectively. (The Personal Management merit badge helps with this!) This means that every family member should be on the same page in terms of how much is being spent every month:
- How does your family keep track of their finances?
- What are some of the largest expenses that your family takes on?
- Does your family have enough saved in the case of an emergency?
- Does your family remember to give back to their community in terms of their time or money?
6b V) A crisis situation within your family and whom you can turn to for support during these situations.
In the case of a crisis, every Scout knows they should be prepared (have you earned your Emergency Preparedness merit badge already?). If so, preparing for a family emergency is no different! Consider…
- What are some disasters that your family could encounter?
- How would you prevent or mitigate these issues?
- In the case of an unexpected passing, how could you ensure that your other family members are cared for?
- Who can your family turn to for support? Think about extended family, neighbors, faith leaders, school counselors, or community organizations.
Build a support network now, before you need it. Write down the names and numbers of 3–5 trusted adults outside your household that any family member could call in a crisis. Keep this list somewhere accessible, like on the fridge or in a family binder.
6b VI) The effect of technology on your family
Technology has made life easier for families in many ways. But when it’s overused, it can quietly pull family members apart instead of bringing them closer together. Think about how technology shows up in your own home. Are people on their phones during dinner? Is a sibling gaming all evening instead of spending time with the family?
These habits aren’t necessarily bad on their own, but they add up. When we’re constantly distracted by screens, we miss out on real conversations and the small moments that strengthen our bonds.
Finding balance means being intentional about when and how you technology. The goal is to create guidelines that feel fair to everyone and help your family stay genuinely connected with one another. Take some time to discuss the following with your family:
- Have you noticed anyone (yourself included) spending more time with devices than with each other?
- What are the costs of that for your family?
- What are some realistic technology boundaries your family can agree on today? How could those boundaries help you become closer and more present?
6b VII) Good etiquette and manners
Good etiquette might sound old-fashioned, but it’s really just about showing respect for the people around you. It’s the foundation of every strong relationship, because when you treat others with courtesy, you’re telling them they matter. That starts with the relationships inside your own home.
Think about how your family interacts daily. Does everyone feel heard and respected, or are there times when people speak harshly or dismiss each other’s feelings?
Also, whether you’re at school, a friend’s house, or out in your community, good etiquette shows respect for both the people around you and the family you represent. Think about whether you extend the same politeness to everyone you meet, not just the people you’re closest to. Consider the following as you reflect:
- Is every family member treated with genuine respect at home?
- Have you asked each person how they’d like to be spoken to and treated?
- How do you represent your family outside the house?
- Do you treat all people with the same courtesy you’d show your own family?
- If not, why?
Family Life Requirement 7: Effective Parenting
7) Discuss with your counselor your understanding of what makes an effective parent or guardian and why, and your thoughts on the parent or guardian’s role and responsibilities in the family.
After completing the previous requirements, you should have a good understanding of your role within your family. Now, take a moment to consider the role that your parents or guardians play. Do they make you feel loved and encouraged? Do they challenge you? How could they improve their approach to better connect with you?
A parent or guardian’s role is to prepare their child for happiness and success later on in life. They should love their child unconditionally, but be firm in their discipline in order to build a child up.
The most important skill a parent can have is empathy because it allows them to understand their child and help them to develop in a balanced way.
What are some qualities that you’d like to have when you become a parent or guardian? How will you use what you’ve learned from your own family to raise any future children you might have? Your answers to these questions will help to form a clearer picture of what being an effective parent means to you.
Conclusion
Great making it to the end of the Family Life badge! I hope my guide has successfully prepared you to earn your Eagle-required Family Life merit badge. Taking responsibility for your role within your household isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Try to use what you’ve learned here to grow closer to your family, and I promise you’ll be happier as a result! 🙂
Also, if you’re pushing to reach Eagle, and haven’t seen my difficulty ranking set, you might want to check out some of my other Eagle-required merit badge guides. Anyway, thanks for being awesome and giving back to your community through Scouting. I hope to see you here again soon and, until next time, best of luck on your Scouting journey!