We all have expectations—whether it’s how a family vacation should go, what we hope for on a Saturday afternoon, or even how we think a simple dinner will turn out. Expectations are a natural part of life, but when reality doesn’t match up, it can lead to disappointment, frustration, and even family conflicts. That’s where the Expectations Reflection Board comes in!
What is an Expectations Reflection Board? The Expectations Reflection Board is a simple yet powerful tool that helps families communicate their expectations and reflect on how those expectations match up with reality. It’s designed to be a visual, interactive way for everyone in the family to share what they’re hoping for, what actually happens, and how they feel about it afterward.
How Does It Work?
- Set Up Your Board: Start by creating your board. You can use a large poster board in a common area of your home, or if your family is more tech-savvy, a digital version using a platform like Miro works great too. We just added a simple Miro template here. The cool thing is that all your family members can use it simultaneously! Just copy the board, adjust it to fit your family’s needs, and you’re ready to go. Divide the board into three sections: “Expected,” “Happened,” and “Reflection.”
- Before the Event: Before any event or situation, gather as a family and write down what each person expects in the “Expected” section. This could be as simple as what you think will happen during a family movie night or as big as what everyone hopes for during a vacation.
- After the Event: Once the event is over, go to the “Happened” section and note down what actually occurred. This step is crucial as it helps bridge the gap between expectation and reality.
- Reflect Together: Finally, in the “Reflection” section, take time to discuss how the reality compared to what everyone expected. Were there any surprises? Did things turn out better or worse than expected? This reflection helps everyone process their feelings and learn from the experience.
Why Use an Expectations Reflection Board?
- It’s Visual and Interactive: The board makes expectations tangible. Seeing them laid out visually can help family members better understand each other’s hopes and concerns.
- It Promotes Open Communication: Regularly using the board fosters a habit of talking openly about what everyone wants and needs. It’s a great way to ensure that everyone feels heard.
- It Encourages Emotional Growth: Reflecting on how expectations match up with reality teaches valuable lessons in emotional intelligence. Family members learn to empathize with each other’s perspectives and manage their own emotions better.
Real-Life Example:
Let’s say the Expectorson family is planning a weekend trip to the beach. Here’s how they might use their Expectations Reflection Board:
- Expected:
- Kate expects a relaxing day of sunbathing and reading.
- Corey hopes to spend hours surfing.
- Kyra is excited to build sandcastles and collect seashells.
- Adrian is looking forward to some quiet fishing.
- Happened:
- The day was mostly relaxing, but it got windy in the afternoon, which cut the surfing short.
- They found a great spot for sandcastles, but the waves washed them away quickly.
- Adrian’s fishing was interrupted by seagulls stealing his bait!
- Reflection:
- Kate appreciated the quiet time, even with the wind.
- Corey was bummed about the shortened surfing time, but still enjoyed the beach.
- Kyra was a little sad about the sandcastles but had fun playing in the water instead.
- Adrian had a good laugh about the seagulls and decided to try fishing earlier next time.
Through this process, the family can see how well their expectations were met and discuss how to make future beach trips even better.
Conclusion: The Expectations Reflection Board is more than just a tool—it’s a way to bring your family closer together by understanding each other’s hopes and concerns. It helps turn potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and connection. So next time you’re planning an event or simply navigating daily life, give the Expectations Reflection Board a try and watch your family’s communication skills—and emotional intelligence—grow stronger.
Try It Out: Ready to give it a go? Check out our simple Miro template here to start your own Expectations Reflection Board today. Remember, the cool part is that all your family members can use it simultaneously! Happy reflecting, Expectation Ninjas!
Try even more tools from Expectations Ninja toolkit here.