Weakest Link

Find a good sturdy chain link chain. Let the family come up with ideas of uses for that chain, such as – hang something, lock up something, drag something, secure something. If you have just one link separated from the chain, you can use it in the next part. If not, just hold up one link from the end of the chain and ask what just one link can do. Not much. Discuss how the chain represents people working together for a common goal or cause. How is the family like that chain, working together? What happens to the chain if one link gives out and breaks? How does that image apply to a family?

To end the activity, make a paper chain, and each person gets to decorate one link of the paper chain. Hang the chain where everyone can see it or use it as a centerpiece on the dining room table for the month.

To process this activity, ask these or similar questions:

• Did you like making a chain to represent the family?
• Are all the links equal in a family? (No – parents have more responsibilities than the children; older children have more responsibilities than younger children BUT all are important to the function of the family)
• Are there ever times when people in a family must do more than their share of work when something happens to another family member, such as an illness or broken bone?
• Will chains remind you to be loyal to your family?