Here’s one meeting that benefits from not being an email. Family meetings might sound a little “corporate” at first, but don’t let that scare you off—they’re actually one of the best low-key parenting tools I’ve ever used. Here’s why:
✏️ They give everyone a voice.
Kids, grownups, and even the dog (okay maybe not the dog) get a chance to share what’s on their mind. It’s a safe space to talk about feelings, ideas, or even just the fact that someone still isn’t flushing the toilet. It builds connection and opens the door to better communication.
✏️ They reinforce your family’s values and rhythms.
Talking about rules, responsibilities, and routines together helps everyone feel like they’re part of something meaningful. Plus, it gives kids a sense of ownership. They’re more likely to follow the rules if they helped come up with them (or at least had a say in them).
✏️ They teach real-life problem solving.
Instead of letting small issues turn into meltdowns, you can bring them up in the meeting and figure out a plan—together. This shows your kids how to listen, compromise, and come up with solutions that work for everyone. (Even if the solution is “your dirty socks go in time-out for a week.”)
🧃The Hard Part: The Follow-Through
Here’s where things get real: If you say you’re going to put stray toys in a bin for a week if they’re left out—you’ve gotta actually do it. That’s where the magic happens. Consistency is what helps kids take it seriously and shows them that your words mean something.
Trust me, they’ll remember that one time their favorite stuffy spent a week in “storage jail.”
Family meetings are more than just calendars and rules—they’re about making sure everyone feels heard, valued, and part of the team. And yes, they even help curb some of those tricky behaviors we all know and love (looking at you, sass and selective hearing). With a little structure and a lot of heart, they can totally transform how your household runs.