Ideas for Family Meetings
Holding a family meeting is a good way to communicate with your family when you can't always sit together at dinner. It is especially important if you have children who are getting older and need more emotional support and guidance. A meeting is a great way to stay connected and show how much each person in the family is valued. Consider some family meeting ideas that are both fun and productive.
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Meeting Basics
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Talk with your spouse and children to find a time that everyone can sit down for the meeting. Discuss why you are holding one and find out if anyone has any issues to discuss. Have your family members write down what they wish to talk about. Set meeting rules from the very beginning to help your children relax. Explain that everyone's opinion is important.
Pick a time to meet when everyone is relaxed and available. Consider waiting until very young children are put to bed to avoid distractions. Family meetings work best with school-aged children or older.
Benefits for Children
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Family meetings allow children to have a say in their own life and can boost a child's self-esteem. It also gives them some responsibility for what goes on in their lives. Allowing them to take part in a family meeting also helps children learn to work and solve problems within a group setting.
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Conduct the Meeting
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During the meeting give everyone a turn to speak. Find out what made each person happy or sad during the week. Ask open-ended questions so that your family members can give more detailed answers. Offer praise or support for things that are important to each family member when mentioned. This encourages self esteem and helps the family discussion open up.
Plan
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Find out what everyone's plans are for the following week. Discuss school functions, conferences, sporting events, parties, dates or even a favorite television show. Also discuss other future plans, such as visiting relatives or planning a family getaway.
Meet Weekly
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Schedule a weekly meeting with your family, even if there are no critical problems to discuss. Do not to reschedule them frequently, as it shows family meetings are not truly a family priority.
Have Fun
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End your meeting with some fun. Play a game, go out for pizza or take a walk together. Enjoy every minute spent with your family before the children grow up and hold their own family meetings.
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References
- Photo Credit family image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
