Connecting parents and their children

it’s about sharing

it’s about caring

it’s about family

What it is…

FamilyeJournal is an interactive website that promotes family closeness by

providing a simple and private way for family members to express their thoughts

and feelings to one another.

Who it is for…

Every family can benefit by improvingtheir communication.

The “busy” family can benefit by its universal accessibility while the family that “just can’t seem to talk” can use it to open the lines of communication.

Why it works…

The written word is a powerful tool. At first glance FamilyeJournal may seem overly simplistic but having

the opportunity to express how you really feel, without the pressures of face-to-face

communication, will give each family member a voice and a true chance to be heard.

Why we need it…

Every family can benefit from improving their communication. The eJournal makes it fun and easy to open the lines of communication. Studies show

that if children feel connected they are less likely to be involved in destructive behavior.

Established in September 2002

“We do in life what is truly important to us and we do not wait to do it.” - Kevin Strauss

FamilyeJournal.com goes live January 21, 2003

Now or Never, LLC is dissolved in 2006 but FEJ lives on.

Background

• Connectedness is key

• When connectedness is gone high-risk behavior increases

Background (cont.)

High-Risk Behaviors (www.cdc.gov)

1. Alcohol and Drug Use

2. Injury and Violence (including Suicide)

3. Tobacco Use

4. Nutrition

5. Physical Activity

6. Sexual Risk Behaviors

Background (cont.)

Reality gap - the difference between what parents think their children are doing and what the children say they are actually doing.

Example:

• 56% of parents believe their teens would call them for a ride home from a party

• 13% of teens say they would call their parents for transportation

Background (cont.)

Teens rank Teen Suicide as 5th on their list of concerns whereas parents rank it as 17th.

Leading Cause of Death (CDC, 2004)

• Age 10-14 and 15-24

•Suicide – 3rd

Let’s be honest…

“No matter what it is you’re doing, you can always improve.”

- Kevin Strauss

Current Solutions

1. Books

2. Pamphlets

3. Seminars

4. Websites

5. Professional Counseling, etc.

Nearly infinite resources providing tips on “how to talk” to your kids/parents.

FamilyeJournal (FEJ)

Improving family relationships and face-to-face communication by re-establishing trust and rapport through honest, open and guided written communication.

Communication lines open on the very first day!

How it works…

1. A Family Leader registers your family and creates a password-protected account for each family member.

2. Family members log into the website anytime, anywhere and answer a few simple, guided questions on their Daily Experience Worksheet.

3. Additional space is provided for a family member to write freely.

4. Completed Daily Experience Worksheets can be read by only your family members.

5. Users can also write private memos to individual family members.

Daily Experience Worksheet (DEW)

• Four questions help you to write about your thoughts and feelings.

• Questions change daily

• Answers saved for 30 days

• Read answers from any other member of your family

DEW Sample Set

1. How would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10?

2. What was the best part of your day? Why?

3. What was the most troubling part of your day? Why?

4. What thought was most on your mind today?

Additional thoughts?

Memo

• An email feature limited only to members of your family

• Allows one-on-one communication

The Power of the Pen - Online

1. Anonymity – A level of dissociation

2. Invisibility – No non-verbal communication

3. Asynchronicity – Time to think before responding

4. It’s all in my head – Dialogue in the “mind’s ear” is free and safe

5. Leveling the playing field – Online status is based on your writing skills and quality of ideas

6. Interaction effects – Online communication has a disinhibition effect

The Psychology of Cyberspace by Dr. John Suler

Benefits of eJournaling

• Perfect for all family types, styles and ages

• User-friendly website

• Fun!

• Private and secure

• Fast – only a few minutes a day

• Free

• And, it really works!

Thank youwww.familyejournal.com