Successful family relationships are important. Tips on scheduling and running family meetings that are productive and beneficial.
In the past, when families routinely sat down to eat dinner together, mealtimes were a forum for open communication. Today, the hectic pace of life and the many activities that teens and younger children are involved in seem to preclude that. To keep the family functioning as a unit, and to foster open communication between parents and kids, experts recommend a once-a-week family meeting.
Once a meeting time is set, express the expectation that everyone will adhere to it and not schedule other activities during that time. Many families find Sunday is the day of choice, because there is likely to be school or office related commitments on that day.
Here are some tips for holding productive family meetings:
-Turn off the television and turn on the answering machine so phone calls will not pose an interruption.
-Don't give parental lectures during meeting time ¡V this is a one-sided form of communication, and family meetings should be about everyone sharing the floor.
-Don't focus entirely on negative issues. Invite input about fun topics like vacations, holiday activities, etc. Offer praise and positive feedback whenever it is warranted.
-Make family meetings an emotionally safe time for everyone ¡V this means that no one should be insulted or put down. Enforce common courtesy.
-When discussing controversial issues, allow every family member to be heard, regardless of his or her age.
-Keep the meetings brief ¡V no more than thirty minutes.
-Do not foster the notion that the family is a democracy ¡V parents will always have the right to overrule the opinions of the children.
-When it is appropriate, allow a majority decision to rule. For example, the family might vote on an approved list of weekend activities.
-Don't consider the family meeting to be necessary only in large families. Even single-child families can benefit from the open communication that is fostered in the family meeting.
