How to Create a Family Motto That Works (50+ Examples)

A simple Family Motto changed everything in our home. Here’s how three words transformed daily chaos into meaningful moments and how you can create your own.

Related: Money-Saving Tips for Families

What Is a Family Motto? (And Why Your Family Needs One in 2026)

A family motto is a short, memorable phrase that captures your family’s core values and guides daily decisions. In other words, think of it as your family’s mission statement distilled into a few powerful words.

In today’s world of constant digital distractions and competing priorities, a strong family motto helps your household make choices that align with what truly matters.

The Science Behind Why Family Mottos Work

Research in child psychology shows that children thrive with clear, consistent values. According to studies on family systems, households with shared guiding principles report:

• Improved behavioral outcomes
• Stronger family identity
• Better conflict resolution
• Increased emotional regulation

A family motto makes abstract values concrete for children of all ages.

Our Family Motto Story: “Enjoy, Don’t Destroy”

Several years ago, my oldest son and I were exploring the forest after days of rain. As a result, the woods had transformed into a wonderland—vibrant mushrooms sprouting from logs, unusual lichens painting tree bark in shades of green and orange.

My son, fascinated by a tall yellow mushroom, raised his foot to kick it. However, in that moment, I gently pulled him back, crouched to his level, and said: “Enjoy, don’t destroy.”

Surprisingly, those three words accidentally became our family’s guiding principle.

What started as a simple reminder about respecting nature has grown into something much bigger. Today, “Enjoy, don’t destroy” shapes how we:

• Treat our belongings
• Interact with each other
• Approach frustrating moments
• Engage with our community
• Spend our time and energy

How to Actually Use a Family Motto (Real Examples from Our Life)

A motto only works if you use it consistently. Therefore, here’s how we’ve integrated ours into daily life:

For Managing Behavior

When I discovered my boys decorating the bedroom door with markers, I asked: “Are you enjoying our home or destroying it?”

My three-year-old paused, considered the question, and then answered honestly: “Destroying it, Mommy.”

“What should we do about that?”

“I’ll get wipes, Mommy.”

As a result, the problem was solved without yelling. The lesson stuck because he connected his actions to our family value.

For Parenting Through Hard Moments

On those exhausting days when everything goes wrong—spilled juice on a clean floor, tantrums in the grocery store, another sleepless night—our motto guides me too.

When I feel frustration rising, I take a breath and remember: Enjoy, don’t destroy.

In other words, I can destroy this moment with anger and impatience, or I can enjoy the fleeting season of young childhood, messy as it is. That choice is always mine.

For Teaching Respect and Kindness

Our motto naturally extends to how we treat others. For example, when sibling conflicts arise, we ask: “Are your words building your brother up or tearing him down? Are you enjoying this relationship or destroying it?”

As a result, this framework helps children understand the impact of their choices on relationships, property, nature, and their own well-being.

How to Create Your Own Family Motto: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to craft a motto that truly fits your family? Follow these four simple steps to create something meaningful that everyone will remember and use.

Step 1: Identify Your Core Family Values

Ask yourself and your partner:

• What matters most to our family?
• What do we want our children to remember about growing up here?
• What behaviors do we want to encourage?
• What principles guide our decisions?

For example, common family values include: kindness, resilience, creativity, gratitude, adventure, service, honesty, humor, or togetherness.

Step 2: Keep It Short and Memorable

The best family mottos are:

• Meaningful: Reflects your actual priorities
• Brief: 3-7 words work best
• Memorable: Easy for young children to remember
• Actionable: Connects to specific behaviors
• Positive: Focuses on what TO do, not what to avoid

Step 3: Test It Out

Try your motto for a few weeks. Does it:

• Feel natural to say?
• Apply to multiple situations?
• Help guide decisions?
• Resonate with your kids?

If not, don’t be afraid to adjust until it feels right.

Step 4: Make It Visible

Once you’ve chosen your motto, consider displaying it where your family will see it daily:

• On a sign in your entryway
• As wall art in a common area
• On family t-shirts
• In a frame on the mantel
• As phone lock screen reminders (my favorite)

50+ Family Motto Ideas for Every Type of Family

Sometimes the hardest part is finding the right words. Browse these motto ideas organized by theme, and you may find the perfect fit or inspiration to create your own.

Building Connection

• “Always better together.”
• “Love big, forgive often.”
• “We do family dinners.”
• “In this family, nobody goes it alone.”
• “Team [Last Name], always.”

Encouraging Kindness

• “Be kind, no matter what.”
• “Spread kindness like confetti.”
• “Choose compassion.”
• “Gentle words, gentle hearts.”
• “Make people feel loved.”

Fostering Resilience

• “Brave hearts, strong minds.”
• “We can do hard things.”
• “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
• “Progress over perfection.”
• “Keep going, keep growing.”

Embracing Adventure

• “Say yes to adventure.”
• “Collect moments, not things.”
• “Explore, discover, wonder.”
• “Outdoor play every day.” (This is another one of our family mottos, and I share more about it in my outdoor activity book Sticks and Stones.)
• “Let’s go make memories.”

For Nurturing Gratitude

• “Grateful hearts, happy home.”
• “Notice the good.”
• “Count blessings, not problems.”
• “These are the good old days.”
• “Thankful every single day.”

Emphasizing Respect

• “Respect all living things.”
• “Leave it better than you found it.”
• “Take care of what we have.”
• “Treasure people over possessions.”
• “Enjoy, don’t destroy.” (of course!)

Promoting Growth

• “Always learning, always growing.”
• “Mistakes are how we learn.”
• “Try new things.”
• “Be brave enough to be bad at something new.”
• “Curiosity over comfort.”

Bringing Joy

• “Happiness is homemade.”
• “Laugh loud, love bigger.”
• “Find the fun in everything.”
• “Dance in the kitchen.”
• “Life is short, eat dessert.”

For Faith-Based Families

• “Love God, love others.”
• “As for me and my house.”
• “Faith over fear.”
• “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.”
• “Let your light shine.”

Funny and Lighthearted Options

• “Controlled chaos since [year].”
• “We put the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional.”
• “Loud and proud.”
• “No perfect, just real.”
• “Caffeinated and coordinated… sometimes.”

Using Your Family Motto Across Different Ages

A family motto works best when it’s age-appropriate. Here’s how to introduce and reinforce your motto with children at different developmental stages.

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)

• Use simple language
• Repeat it frequently during relevant moments
• Turn it into a song or rhyme
• Pair it with hand motions
• Praise when they remember it

Early Elementary (Ages 5-8)

• Ask questions that connect actions to the motto
• Let them explain the motto to visitors
• Create artwork featuring your family words
• Reference it during bedtime reflections
• Use it to guide conflict resolution

Tweens and Teens (Ages 9+)

• Involve them in motto creation or refinement
• Apply it to complex social situations
• Reference it when discussing choices and consequences
• Use it as a foundation for family meetings
• Let them see you living it too

Common Family Motto Mistakes to Avoid

Not all mottos are created equal. In fact, avoid these common pitfalls that can make your family motto fall flat or fade away.

Too Long or Complicated
“Our family believes in treating others with kindness and respect while always striving for excellence.” → Too much!

Vague
“Be good!” → What does that mean?

Too Negative
“Don’t be mean.” → Focuses on the problem, not the solution.

Unrealistic
“Perfect in every way.” → Sets impossible standards.

Not Actually Your Values
Choosing something aspirational that doesn’t reflect your real priorities won’t stick.

Beyond Words: Living Your Family Motto

A motto written on a wall means nothing if it’s not lived daily. Here’s how to make your family values come alive through everyday actions and conversations.

Model It Yourself
Children watch what you do more than they listen to what you say. When you make mistakes, acknowledge them in relation to your family motto.

Celebrate It
Whenever family members exemplify your motto, notice and celebrate it. “I saw you helping your sister with her shoes—that’s what ‘always better together’ looks like!”

Reflect on It
During family dinners or bedtime, ask: “How did we live our motto today?” This builds awareness and reinforces the connection.

Return to It During Conflict
When tensions rise, come back to your shared values. “Our family believes in kind words. How can we solve this problem and still honor that?”

When Your Family Motto Needs an Update

Just like your family, your motto can evolve. In fact, don’t be afraid to revisit and revise as your children grow and your family’s needs change.

Consider updating your family motto when:

• Your children are significantly older
• You’ve blended families
• You’ve experienced major life changes
• The current one no longer feels relevant
• You’ve gained clarity on what truly matters

There’s no shame in changing it. Growth is good!

The Unexpected Benefits of Our Family Motto

Years after that walk in the forest, “Enjoy, don’t destroy” has given us gifts I never anticipated:

A Shared Language
Specifically, when tensions run high, those three words instantly refocus everyone on what matters.

Better Behavior (Even Mine)
Interestingly, the motto doesn’t just guide my kids’ choices—it guides mine. Am I destroying this moment with my own impatience?

Stronger Family Identity
Now, we know who we are as a family. We’re the people who enjoy life, who treat things with care, and who choose intention over carelessness.

Life Skills That Will Last
Furthermore, my sons are learning to pause before acting, to consider consequences, to protect what they value. Those skills will serve them forever.

Your Turn: Start Today

Creating your family motto doesn’t have to be perfect or complicated. In fact, here’s a simple exercise to get you started right now.

1. First, write down three values that matter most to your family.
2. Next, for each value, write 2-3 words that capture it.
3. Then, play with different combinations.
4. After that, say them out loud—which feels right?
5. Finally, try your favorite for a week.

Remember, the best family motto is the one you’ll actually use.

What guides your family? I’d love to hear your motto in the comments below.

FAQ: Family Mottos

Still have questions? Here are the most common ones I hear from parents about creating and using family mottos.

More Parenting Resources

If you enjoyed this post about family mottos, you’ll love these other practical parenting ideas to strengthen your family connections.

• 10 Ways to Spend Quality Time with Kids That Don’t Feel Forced
• The Homework Station Setup That Finally Works
• How to Make Kids Laugh (Even on Hard Days)
• How to Organize Family Meals with a Recipe Binder

Save This for Later

📌 Save this post to your favorite Pinterest board so you can reference these 50+ family motto ideas whenever you need inspiration!

Originally published August 2012. Updated January 2026 with expanded content, new research, and 50+ tested family motto examples.