10+ Family Contract Examples & Templates [Download Now]

Having a family is not as easy as what we see on screen. As someone in charge of a special unit in the community, you’re responsible for the safety, care, and overall upbringing of your children. This can be difficult, especially with the different attitudes, principles, and opinions that each of us holds. Thus, it’s important to discipline and hold everyone accountable for their actions by writing writing a contract that will bind members of the family together.

Family Contract Examples & Templates

1. Family Accountability Contract

Every member of the family has a specific role to play as part of their day-to-day activities. For instance, a mother could promise to pack lunch for the child as long as the child can report to school on time whenever needed. And as a reward for finishing their homework early, the father can take the child out for some leisure time at the park. These responsibilities should be made clear in the contract to make sure that each member fully understands his or her role in the unit.

2. Family Contract for Electronic Usage

Apart from how much energy they consume after being plugged in or charged for a significant amount of time, electronic devices can also be a distraction from reality. People tend to forget their obligations when they spend most of their time watching television or browsing the Internet. Electronic devices, such as TVs, game consoles, and mobile gadgets, can even hinder us from human interaction. This causes problems in the family that could’ve been prevented if a limit was set for electronic usage. So to avoid cases like these, consider writing a contract to get everyone involved in the family plan.

3. Family Internet Contract

The gradual increase in Internet usage among children and teenagers in recent years is something that parents should be alarmed about. While the Internet can be a channel for learning, it’s also a platform for cyberbullying, violence, sexual predators, pornography, and damaged reputations. The dangers of the Internet can be harmful to the emotional and mental well-being of the youth, which is why monitoring a child’s online activity is crucial in most households. Keep in mind that most children are strictly against their parents having a say in what they do online, so make sure to set some ground rules that you and your child can mutually agree to in the contract.

4. Family Media Contract

No matter how hard you try, it’s almost impossible to have your privacy respected by your parents or guardians. While their intentions may be clean and reasonable, you can’t help but feel as if they don’t trust you enough to leave you alone. But rather than rebelling for your privacy, the least you can do is communicate your rights by stating these in a contract. This allows you to lay out your terms and conditions that will benefit all the parties concerned. You can also convince your parents to sign the contract by making making a list of what you vow to do if you were given the chance to roam freely without their watchful eyes.

5. Family Online Safety Contract

No one is safe from the dangers of the Internet. Even those who don’t have a significant online presence can be a victim of identity theft, catfishing, and other similar cases. Videos showing acts of violence can also affect a child’s behavior and actions in the real world. Considering how vulnerable they are to these factors, the best way to offer protection is to educate your children about the positives and negatives of the Internet and to have them openly share about what they discover online. Make sure to discuss these rules and reminders in a contract to ensure that your children are supervised accordingly.

6. Family Safety Contract

You can never really prohibit your children from using the Internet, watching TV, or going out with friends. Overprotective parents often raise the biggest liars who tend to perform rebellious acts without their family’s knowledge. The last thing you would want to do is to hinder your children from exploring the world on their own. One of the secrets to good parenting is to establish a mutual understanding between you and your child regarding the responsibilities and values that they need to uphold. These are usually reflected in a contract agreement that has been authored and signed by those involved.

7. Family Social Media Contract for Kids

Since you won’t always have eyes on what your child does on social media, the least you can do is to have them sign a contract that will bind them to an agreement that was made. The contract should take the child’s welfare into account, along with other users in the network. Think of it as a pinkie promise that has been documented on print. Failure to adhere to these terms should subject the individual to a few consequences for each offense. This should let the child know what’s right from wrong when it comes to being a responsible social media user.

8. Family Technology Contract

It’s sad to come across families sitting together but with their eyes glued to their phone screens. Personal interactions have been replaced by chat rooms and text messages that no longer value the importance of human connection. Technology might have brought us to a more innovative state, but its negative side effects have made face-to-face communication surprisingly difficult for some people. But this shouldn’t be the case for everyone, as you can always set the bar within your family by creating a contract that will limit the unnecessary use of technology.

9. Family Vacation Contract

Family vacations are a perfect time for parents to bond with their children whenever they get the chance to. But going on trips can already be quite costly for a family of three, which is why it wouldn’t hurt to make a few sacrifices for the family budget. This would mean cutting down on a few expenses to pay for the dream vacation that you had in mind. To stay committed to this goal, have everyone sign a contract to bind them to what was planned.

10. Student-Host Family Contract

It’s common for families to host local or foreign exchange students who are a part of an immersion program in their homes. In such cases, the family and the student are both required to sign a contract that will protect each party’s safety and security throughout the period indicated in the document. Letting the student into your home would also hold you accountable for whatever happens to the student under your care. Thus, it’s always best to read and understand what is written in the contract before agreeing to its terms.