This article is in collaboration with TRIVE, a family game.
As homeschooling parents, we long to discover what beats in our children’s hearts, strengthening our relationships at home. Yet, sometimes we do not know where to begin and how to get our children to open up and share. TRIVE is a discovery and goal-setting family game created to build unity through conversation about personal goals and inspiring one another to achieve them.
Imagine your family sitting around the table playing a game. Then, one by one, children, teens, and parents share dreams, and everyone else listens attentively, even asking questions to learn more. As a result, not only does a family discover one another’s personal goals, but they help one another figure out ways to make them happen. This is the scenario that TRIVE creates through carefully crafted activities that set the stage for family unity.
TRIVE is a family game, unlike any other game you have ever seen.
While enjoying family entertainment together, parents and children learn communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and coaching skills.
How Families Play TRIVE: Discovery Session
The game is played a few times over six months. The first time together is called a Discovery Session, where stated goals are revealed.
Before starting the game, each person chooses three personal 6-month goals. Then each family member receives three goal cards where they draw a simple picture or write one word to represent a separate goal on every card.
First, a leader is chosen who guides the game/session. Then, everyone takes turns guessing who said a particular famous quote. Whenever someone guesses correctly, they get to pick a random goal card, read it aloud or show the picture, and everyone guesses what the goal is and to whom it belongs. This continues until all the goals are revealed. This process results in lively discussion and lots of questions.
When everyone’s goal is revealed, personal coaches are chosen. Then, each family member has a coach, and each family member becomes a coach.
How Families Play TRIVE: Achievement
For six months, each person works on their personal goals and helps one other person reach their goals.
During this time, inspiring TRIVE emails are sent to the leader, who forward them to the rest of the family. Like the quotes, they are meant to help everyone stay focused and energized.
How Families Play TRIVE: Review Session
Six months after the first session, a review session is held.
Before the session starts, each coach fills out a review card for the family member they are coaching, evaluating their progress in meeting their personal goals. A point system is used.
In the review session, the first coach shares the total achievement points for their family member. Then everyone weights in to encourage that person. This continues until each coach has had a turn.
There are two winners of the game. The Champion is the person with the highest number of achievement points in meeting their goal. The Best Coach award goes to the coach who was best at encouraging and helping their family member reach the goal.
How Much Commitment Does TRIVE Require?
TRIVE is parent-intensive and child-intensive, but in a way that has a lasting positive impact on family relationships.
What is so exciting is to see one another grow in goal setting, goal achievement, and coaching. Parents become more effective parents, understanding and helping their children reach personal goals. Children get to know one another and their parents better while acquiring life skills they will carry into business, ministry, and their own homes.
Special thanks to Meredith Curtis for writing this introductory article.
Read the Review Crew reviews by clicking on the links below.