Family
For Couples
Mini Games · 06
Family
10-15 mins
Round 1
Round 1
Predict Their
Childhood
Childhood
For each question, guess what your partner was like as a kid. Then they guess about you.
1The responsible one or the wild one?
2The loud one in the room or the quiet observer?
3Closer to their mom or their dad?
4A hundred friends or three close ones?
5The one who followed the rules or the one who tested them?
6The kid who got away with everything or the one who always got caught?
Round 2
Your 8
If you could only keep 8 people in your life, who would make the list?
Family, friends, anyone.
Family, friends, anyone.
Think about:
Parent
Sibling
Childhood friend
Cousin
Mentor
3am friend
One person goes first. Then the other.
Round 3
One to Keep,
One to Let Go
One to Let Go
Think about the home you grew up in.
What's one thing your family did that you want to carry into your own?
What's one thing your family did that you want to carry into your own?
Think about:
How you ate together
How they celebrated birthdays
How your parents showed love
How your home welcomed people
And what's one thing from your upbringing that you don't want to repeat?
Think about:
How independence was discouraged
How feelings were shut down
Expectations that felt unfair
How mistakes were treated
One person answers both. Then the other.
Round 4
Design Your
Retirement
Retirement
Where are you living?
In a big city
In a quiet town
Near the coast or mountains
Your home:
Big house with room for everyone
A cosy place, just the two of you
A place with outdoor space and a garden
Your family lives:
Right next door
A short drive away
In a different city but always in touch
Your days look like:
Still working on something you love
Slow days and spending time on hobbies
Travelling and exploring as much as possible
For each one, both pick at the same time.
Last Round
The Message
Pick one person. Let them know.
Earlier, you both named 8 people who matter most to you.
Pick the one you wish you spoke to more often. Or the one you'd love to hear from right now.
Send them a message. Whatever feels right.
Send them a message. Whatever feels right.
Suggestions:
“Hey, how have you been?”
“Hey, I thought of you today. I'm glad to have you around.”
“Hey, let's catch up soon. It's been too long.”
You both send the message. That's how this one ends.If you don't feel like sending it right now, do send it sometime this week.
And that's it.
Hopefully you keep checking in on the people who matter.
Next
Growth
People change. All that matters is whether you notice how the other person is changing.
Inspired by principles from the book Eight Dates by John Gottman, Ph.D., & Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D.
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Intro
A date night game to play with your partner on the topic of family. Play it on the couch together or over a call if you're apart.
