How to host a successful family meeting

A family meeting is one of the greatest tools to help your family succeed at life.

They don’t have to be long or complicated.

They can be short, informative, encourage family communication and keep your week smooth and drama free.

Who doesn’t want that?

What is the purpose of a family meeting?

The main purpose of a family meeting is to communicate.

It’s a way for everyone to get on the same page as a family and work together for everyone’s success and peace of mind.

Each family member checks in, asks questions and expresses their needs to avoid drama and stress later.

It makes everyone aware of family activities and expectations for the week ahead.

It is especially helpful for children and adults with anxiety or who thrive knowing life’s details.

To get started, use the family meeting agenda below.

How to run a family meeting

First, pick a day to meet and use a timer. That way everyone knows there is an end to the meeting.

For you first meeting you might need a bit more time, but, fifteen to thirty minutes is usually adequate unless your family is large.

That way they start and end the week well.

Giving everyone input

I used to be completely focused on the logistics of the week, but learned that the family meeting is a beautiful way to connect beyond the calendar while watching a training on how to run them properly. 

The trainer talked about starting the meeting with each person sharing a compliment or appreciation about each of the members in the group, including themselves.

Each statement is meant to be uplifting and affirming without being braggadocios.

No saying that someone was ready on time 2 out of 5 days or that you did more around the house than anyone else. 

Once you've affirmed everyone, then you move on to my favorite family tool.

I truly believe that the most important tool for your family meeting and running a family successfully is a family calendar. If you don’t have one, get one.

Click here to see a great one that starts with the school year, not the calendar year, and it overlaps by a few months each year, so you can get to it when it suits you best.

To find out more about how why you need a family calendar and how to use one effectively click here.

Yes, it’s great to have a digital calendar, but not everyone can see the digital calendar on your phone and even small children can recognize their activities if you color code the wall calendar.

Once you get the calendar, post it where everyone sees it every day, especially the person coordinating everyone’s schedules.

Take it down for family meetings and fill in all the pertinent information for everyone through the week including how each family member is going to help with the family tasks of taking care of the family home.

Even if you are a stay at home parent, this is imperative to teach your children household management.

That way you know where potential conflicts are and can circumvent them before they happen.

See?

Avoiding stress and encouraging communication already!

Once you have the logistics of the calendar in place, ask everyone if they are clear on the plan for the week.

If they aren’t, make the plan clearer.

Add carpool information or drivers if necessary.

If possible, include your weekly meal plan, and if you struggle with that, you can learn easy, money saving techniques to plan delicious meals your family will love by clicking here  or by checking out our YouTube channel.

Next, ask if anyone needs help with any challenges or problems, and this can be tricky .

When this is new, parents may have to encourage conversation by asking for help with a simple issue like a pile of shoes and backpacks at the door.

This was an ongoing issue at our house, and it wasn't until we purchased a basket big enough to hold coats and backpacks and another for shoes that we solved that one.

As you get more proficient, you can move onto household tasks or asking older children about a potentially difficult moment at school.

Your goal is not to solve every problem the first week or make it a lecture or discipline session.

As a matter of fact, some weeks may not go well, but more will than won't and it will truly help your family.

Make it age appropriate and include all family members be even letting toddlers join in by hanging out and playing while everyone else is chatting.

You'll gain momentum by starting slow and letting your family warm up to the idea of this family meeting and by honoring the 15-30 minute time limit.

You may be surprised by your children’s wisdom and problem solving skills when you ask for their help, especially if you take the time to listen carefully and ponder what your children say before responding.

Wrapping up the family meeting

Finally, add one last thing that appeals to each person’s personality type.

Issue a challenge to your children who are driven to succeed.

Build in some fun to the week for your free spirited child.

Let your security seeking child know you are there for them when they need you and maybe add a quiet activity they enjoy.

And finally, let your very detail oriented child know that you welcome their input on how to improve the family meeting process because you know they have input about how to do that.

Not sure which one your child is? Check out this article about DISC Personality Types.

You might learn a lot about yourself and your child.

Then, schedule your next family meeting and know you are teaching your children a wonderful planning skill for their future success.

Where to go from here

While a weekly family meeting may not change the world, it might change your world.

A family meeting helps parents connect to their children, children to feel heard and respected by their parents and everyone to have a say in how the family runs.

That is a great stepping stone to raising great kids and making the world a better place, so having a family meeting might change the world after all.

As always, thanks for being you and have a great day.