Family Meetings

• Providing the opportunity for you to remind your family of the rules of the house and what is expected from each of them.

• Allowing each family member the opportunity to be heard and to discuss anything that might be on their mind.

• Proving the perfect forum to discuss what may not be working and to find solutions that do.

• Allowing your family to stay connected and find out what has been happening in each other's lives.

If you feel as though your family is disorganized, off track or out of touch with each other, start using this tool today.

How to Start Holding Family Meetings

If you would like to start using family meetings as an organizational tool in your home, here are some suggestions to help you get started.

1. Create a regular schedule. Try to hold your meetings on a regular basis. The frequency of your meetings will depend upon your family's need. If you have a large or very busy family with a lot going on, you may want to try to meet at least once per week. If your family is smaller or a little less hectic, once per month may be enough. Put your meetings on your family calendar for the entire year and try your best to stick to your schedule.

2. Limit the time of your meetings. Letting your meeting run too long will ensure that your family, especially your children, lose interest. Find the perfect time limit for your family meetings based on how often you are meeting and how much you have to discuss. If you are holding your meetings weekly, 15 to 20 minutes will probably be plenty. If you are holding monthly meetings you may need 30 minutes or more. Find the time limit that works best and stick to it.

3. Stick to a pre-determined outline. Take some time think about the topics you want to cover at your family meetings, such as chores, grades or upcoming events. Be sure to use this opportunity to praise your family for the nice things they have done and gently encourage them to do better in the areas where they have lacked. Always leave time in your agenda for open discussion, an opportunity for any family member to discuss anything that may be on their mind.

4. Record your minutes. In order to avoid any miscommunication, keep a meeting journal. Record the issues discussed at each meeting as well as the solutions you have reached. Tell your family what you are writing and be sure that everyone agrees that it is, in fact, what was discussed. That way, if a disagreement erupts you can simply consult the journal for black and white proof of what was decided.

5. Provide each family member with a meeting notebook. In between meetings, instruct your family members to record any thoughts, issues or concerns that they would like to discuss at the next meeting. This will encourage them to come to the meetings prepared and ready to seek a solution to their problem.