[karne]

Hi there. I posted this in another forum, but I think I might have a bit more luck here. I'm really interested in the idea of family meetings as a way to have open dialog together as a family. Our family includes me, dh and dd10 and ds6. I'm wondering if anyone here regularly holds family meetings, and if so, what your goal is in having them? Is is for conflict resolution, planning family events, opportunity for conversation, etc?

I'm hoping to create a safe space for us to talk about both our joys as a family as well as things we are working on (respecting space is a biggie right now between the kids). I'd love for us to be talking TO each other vs. my sense lately that I'm talking AT people. Maybe there are book suggestions as well? Or other ideas? Thanks!

 

[kikidee]

I only have an almost-3 year old right now, but I wanted to speak up and say that we did family meetings growing up, and they were effective. Usually we had them if there were issues going on (and sometimes my dad put on his robe and held a "gavel" to be funny - we were a hilarious family

), and I don't know what my brothers took away from the meetings, but I always came away feeling like we had grown together as a family unit through them.

Great idea!

 

[A Mom's Love]

I read in an article once that having family meetings around a meal or special treat (food) lessens the tension & creates a more relaxed atmosphere that makes it a little easier to communicate. As far as talking with your children rather than at them, try asking plenty of questions rather than doing all the talking yourself. Help them come up with solutions to family problems. They may be more willing to follow through with a plan they helped create. Good luck & good for you for doing this!