Why you need Family
Meetings
When we were children, families shared
mealtimes, leisurely summer evenings on the patio,
weekly worship services, and long car trips to
grandmother's house. Families didn't need meetings
because they hashed out mutual concerns around the
dinner table. But, with both parents working and
children participating in more structured
activities than ever before, hectic schedules are
squeezing out the household rituals which bonded
past generations. Togetherness is not something
today's families can take for granted.
If we as parents want to pass on our values
and raise strong, confident children, we have to
be more deliberate about our parenting. Holding
family meetings is one of the quickest, easiest
ways to improve communication and build character
within our families. These gatherings can require
as little as 15 minutes each week, and Our Family
Meeting Book makes planning the agendas simple and
fun.
In a family meeting, everyone's opinion-even
the youngest child's-is respected and heard. Kids
learn to assert themselves, communicate their
feelings, listen to others' viewpoints, and solve
problems. Everyone airs frustrations and shares
dreams in a setting that is supportive and not
emotionally charged. What's more, since every
family member gets input into decision-making,
they are more likely to embrace the resulting
policies and expectations.
Family meetings also provide a practical way
for families to coordinate busy schedules,
distribute allowances, accomplish chores, plan
menus, and more. You don't have to be
organizationally challenged to be overwhelmed by
today's hectic pace! Even a very organized parent
will find family meetings
helpful.
Here's How:
1. Parents decide together to begin holding
family meetings.
2. Tell children that you will begin holding
family meetings to talk about what's going on in
everyone's life.
3. Let everyone decide together when and
where to hold meetings.
4. Mom and Dad should be the co-moderators
for meetings at the beginning. Share the moderator
duties with children as you go along.
5. At the first meeting remind everyone to
contribute to the conversation, listen to others,
and be supportive not critical.
6. Use the "Go Around" method. Go around the
circle giving each family member the opportunity
to respond to the topic.
7. Go Around Topic 1 - Something that made
you feel good this week.
8. Parents offer praise, encouragement, and
support for the good things that each person
mentions.
9. Go Around Topic 2 - Something that
bothered you this week.
10. Parents listen for and acknowledge the
feelings that are expressed, ask open-ended
questions to clarify the problem, then brainstorm
solutions with the entire family.
11. Go Around Topic 3 - Something that you
want to work on or accomplish next week.
12. Parents model making an action plan and
help children set a specific goal to continue
positive experiences or address problems
identified this week.
13. Go Around Topic 4 - Your schedule for the
week. What meetings, appointments, tests, special
events or projects you have this week.
14. Parents identify any scheduling conflicts
and individual responsibilities necessitated by
the week's schedule. Plan your week. Teach good
time management.
Tips:
1. Set a scheduled time for meetings, post it
where everyone will see, and keep the time. If
parents are committed to the project, it will have
more impact.
2. Make the meetings fun too. Tell a story or
a joke, play games, have contests.
