A family genogram is a picture of our family tree. It can be helpful in thinking about how we formed the functioning patterns we use to manage money. 

We learned how to form what we do as we grew up in our early environment.  A family genogram is a picture of our family that includes three generations.  It gives us information about the patterns of interaction in our family of origin that influenced how we do what we do today.  You can use the information below entitled Family Genogram Diagram and Symbols as a guide to draw your family genogram.  

Family Genogram Diagram and Symbols

If you have a large family, you may need more than one sheet of paper.

• If you have a significant other and/or children, follow these instructions.
• At the bottom of the page, draw a symbol to reflect you.  Draw a square for a male or circle for female.  Or you may use the symbols of your choice to describe individuals.  If you have a significant other, draw a symbol for your significant other.  If you have had more than one significant other, reflect them on this line.  Draw a line to connect you and your significant other(s).  If you have children, list your children below you and the significant other with whom you share a child.  This will be Generation
• Draw a line up to Generation 2.  Draw symbols to identify and describe your parents and your siblings.  If you wish, you can draw symbols for the parents and siblings of your significant other.  Generation 2 will be your parents and siblings. 
• Draw a line up and draw symbols to identify and describe your grandparents and their children.
• Use the Family Genogram Symbols attached to the sample Family Genogram Diagram, to provide additional details that can help create an overview of your family and their life patterns.
  • date of birth, death, serious illness,  
  • date of marriage, separation, or divorce
  • nature of relationships – conflict, 2 people cut off from each other close                           intense relationship
  • gambling or substance addiction
  • mental illness, suicide
  • quality of parent- child relationship
  • adopted chld
  • Pregnancy
  • Miscarriage or abortion
  • Twins
  • Highest level of formal education
• If you are single follow these instructions.  If you are not in a relationship and if you do not have children, your chart might be different. Generation 1 at the bottom of the family genogram would be your parents and your siblings including you.  Generation 2 would be your grandparents and your parent’s siblings.  Generation 3 would be your great grandparents and their children.
• If you do not know much information about your family genogram, write down what  you know.
• Once you have completed your family genogram, look at it see if there family patterns that you see have influenced how you live your life today.