The family meeting–not all families utilize the family meeting, of course, and I know that I grew up in a house where we NEVER had group meetings as an entire family. In my own parenting, however, I have used the family meeting–but we didn’t have them regularly or schedule them very far in advance. Some families do have a regular, set, scheduled family meeting–which works best?
We have tended to use the family meeting as a problem-solving and discussion “cabinet” meeting in our family. Anyone has the power to call a meeting and while we have some basic ground rules, the family meeting has been used for deciding chores, making vacation decisions, and talking over troublesome behavioral issues. Many years ago, my ex-husband and I used the family meeting to announce and discuss our separation and divorce with our kids (I know, very un-fun–but the institution was in place and was the best place for discussing family business.) We still get together once or twice a year with “both houses” to go over any important things that might be affecting kids, parents, and the realities of two families and two houses.
I know of families who hold a weekly or monthly family meeting no matter what. Just like the weekly staff meeting, agenda items are written down and certain things are covered at every meeting. I think my years and years in nonprofit management got me pretty burned out on “meeting just to meet” so I definitely didn’t want to do that at home–but it really works for some families.
What do you think? How often should a family hold a family meeting and should it be regularly-scheduled and anticipated, or called on as “as needed” basis? I know that some families don’t even utilize family meetings, but for those of you who do–how often do you have them for optimum effectiveness?
Also: The Family Meeting
In Appreciation of Family Meetings
Tips For Effective Family Meetings