How Creating a Family Name Fosters Belonging and Growth
We just made one up…and you can too.
By Brandi Perossa, Creator of Magic Minutes Club
We didn’t plan this.
We didn’t “Pinterest” this.
We definitely didn’t sit down with a branding board and a vision statement.
Honestly?
Half the time I felt like I was just trying to keep the laundry off of the dining room table
and the snacks stocked.
We didn’t name us on purpose.
We weren’t trying to create a “thing”.
We were just trying to survive the day with three littles.
It just…happened.
Somewhere along the way, Sambo gave us a name.
And through the years,
A few simple statements stuck with us.
Not the dramatic, over-the-top, “Why is everyone crying at the same time?” speeches.
Not the “I swear I just cleaned this” lectures.
Not my finest parenting moments.
The good ones.
The ones that sounded more like who I actually wanted to be.
They became part of who we are.
How we talk.
How we love.
How we show up for each other.
And one day it hit me –
This little “accident’
was actually something powerful.
Because when a family shares a name and a vision,
they don’t just live together…
They grow together.
Let’s start with something simple:
Families already have names.
But most families don’t have a team name.
And even fewer have a shared vision.
Not because they don’t care.
But because life is loud.
Schedules are full.
And dinner feels like a relay race.
But here’s the good news:
Science says:
When people feel like they belong to something meaningful,
they show up better, care deeper, and stick together longer.
So, let’s make it easy.
Let’s make it fun.
Let’s make it a Process of Five.
Step 1: Pick Your Team Name
You already have one.
It’s your last name.
Just add a little something original or extra.
The Perossa 5 (never said we were original 😊)
The Smith Squad
The Budgett Bunch
The Garcia Gang
Why it works:
Psychologists call this social identity.
When people see themselves as part of a group,
they feel more connected, more loyal, and more supported.
Translation?
Your kids don’t just belong to a house.
They belong to a team.
And teams stick together.
Step 2: Choose 3 Simple Values
Not a mission statement.
Not a novel.
Just three things you care about.
Love Life
Laugh Often
Play Hard (Stolen from Saf 7)
Faith
Fun
Respect
Grace
Growth
Togetherness
Science says shared values create belonging and safety.
And kids thrive when they know what matters most.
So, keep it short.
Keep it clear.
Keep it fridge-worthy.
Step 3: Turn Values into “We” Statements
Because “we” is more powerful than “me” or “you.”
Instead of:
“Be nice.”
Try:
“We lead with love.”
Instead of:
“Calm down.”
Try:
“We handle hard moments together.”
Studies show that identity-based language
Helps people live up to the values they believe in.
In other words:
Kids don’t just hear the values.
They become them.
Step 4: Make it Visible (and a Little Silly)
Put it where life happens:
On the fridge
By the door
On the mirror
Next to the snack drawer
On your phone lock screen
A sticky note in your car for carpool
And don’t be afraid to have fun with it:
“Budgett Bunch Strong”
“Team Together”
“Sofa Rot Sunday Earned” (more about this “earned” day in another blog) 😉
Shared language builds connection.
Inside jokes build joy.
And joy? That’s the glue.
Step 5: Use it When Life Gets Messy
Because it will.
Always does.
Instead of:
“Stop acting like that.”
Try:
“Is that how our family shows love?”
Instead of:
“Go to your room.”
Try:
“How can we handle this the Perossa 5 way?”
Research shows that when correction is tied to identity, kids feel guided – not shamed.
And families grow stronger…instead of farther apart.
Why this Works (The Science Part)
Belonging improves emotional health.
We were created to belong.
Shared identity increases cooperation.
Clear values reduce conflict.
Vision creates direction.
And when people feel connected to a we instead of just an I…
they show up better for each other.
Even on the messy days.
Especially on the messy days.
Final thought:
You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need fancy crafts.
You don’t need matching outfits.
We didn’t do any of that.
We didn’t follow a step-by-step plan.
We didn’t sit down and map out a system.
We honestly just stumbled onto a family name…and a few “this is how we do it” statements that stuck.
That’s it.
No masterclass.
No parenting certification. As a matter of fact,
I’m pretty sure someone would have pulled my momma card a time or ten 🥴
No gold stars.
Trust me — we were just winging it. We were anything but perfect.
Still aren’t.
But here’s what I know now:
You don’t need flawless.
You just need:
A name. A vision. And a few minutes together (a few Magic Minutes 😊).
Because when your family knows who they are,
they don’t just live together…
They grow together!
Want more encouragement like this?
Join our free Magic Minutes Club today and learn how to connect with your kids like never before.