Top Ten Reasons to Hold Family Meetings
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1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore,
creates a closer family. In this very busy world, designating
this time every week is one way to ensure that family members
stay connected with one another. Relationships are living
things, and must be nurtured. Family meetings are about
nourishing our relationships with the most important people in
our lives. Form the habit of connecting regularly.
2. Create family value statements and operating principles.
Family meetings give you a chance to discuss what’s important to
you as a family and to create family value statements, which
reflect your collective thoughts. Similarly, they give you a
chance to talk about how you want to operate together as a
family and treat one another, by developing family operating
principles.
3. Share appreciations and give thanks for our many blessings.
This is a way to give children and adults permission to let one
another know how much they are appreciated, and to share the
many things they have to be thankful for. It is far too easy to
take the blessings in our lives, and our loved ones, for granted
if we do not form the habit of appreciating on a regular basis.
4. Improves family communication More and more today, family
members are going in different directions and at break-neck
speed. Add to this the fact that each person is unique and
perceives the world in his or her own way. Miscommunication can
cause hard feelings. It is crucial to never assume that what you
are saying is being understood the way you intended it, or that
you are understanding what others are trying to tell you. Always
take the time to check perceptions. The family meeting can be a
“rest area” where time is set aside to make certain that
communications are clear.
5. Provide leadership experience Everyone gets a turn at leading
the family meetings. This is a great way for children to get
early leadership experience. Be certain that their contributions
in this regard are honored and respected. You will be building a
confident future leader, who will experience the joy of positive
leadership.
6. Offers an opportunity to stay current regarding upcoming
commitments, activities, and events. Family meetings are
wonderful opportunities to review the family calendar, clarify
who needs to be where and when, as well as who will be taking
responsibility for what. Once again, clear communication and
joint planning can relieve the ongoing stress of busy lives.
7. Gives an avenue to celebrate each other’s successes. This is
most important. Family meetings should always contain a time to
celebrate successes of each family member during the week. These
need not be big, monumental events but can simply be every day
successes. This not only creates pride and joy in daily life,
but also forms the habit in each family member of looking for
the positive in one another.
8. Provides time to plan family vacations, activities, and
special events. This gives everyone in the family a chance to
give their input into a family trip or experience, rather than
the adults always doing the planning. When the whole family is
involved, everyone is much more likely to enjoy the event.
Investment in family activities, for each member, is often
directly proportional to his or her involvement in the planning.
A richer shared experience is most often the result.
9. Establish a safe, respectful environment to problem solve. By
following the family’s operating principles, and with open and
honest communication, children will learn that problems can be
discussed openly and solved respectfully together. Creating
win-win solutions takes practice, for adults as well as for
children and youth.
10. Have fun together These meetings provide a great opportunity
for the family to participate in fun family activities. As
family members get to know one another better, share stories,
laugh, and problem solve together, deeper relationships develop.
Try to weave fun into every family meeting.
Copyright 2004 by CoachVille & Dan and Suzanne Bond Duplication,
with attribution, permitted and encouraged. www.CoachvVille.com
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