1. Connecting parents and their children
it’s about sharing
it’s about caring
it’s about family
2. 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.
3. Who it is for…
Every family can benefit by improving
their 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. Let’s be honest…
“No matter what it is you’re doing, you can always improve.”
- Kevin Strauss
12. 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.
13. 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!
14. 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.
15. 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
16. 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?
17. Memo
• An email feature limited only to members of your family
• Allows one-on-one communication
18. 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
19. 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!
