Family Meeting

I remember as a kid, on Sunday nights, my mom would holler across the neighborhood, “Kids, time for a family meeting!” Oh, it was so embarrassing! Our friends would say, “What are you guys doing?”, I’d mumble, “It’s this thing they make us do.” And then I’d scurry home, grab a beanbag chair, and sit…begrudgingly ready for our family meeting.

Yep, you guessed it. I am now that mom. Or should I say, that dork of a mom. Last night JT and I held our third family meeting. The boys are too young to know that most other families don’t do this. And they are too young to be “too-cool”.  In fact, after only three weeks, on Sunday, they remind us about "tonight's" meeting.

What did we do at our family meeting? (Thanks for asking) We talk about the week ahead...discussing what things we have to do, and what activities that they would like to do. This week they requested a trip to the Natural History Museum. We look at the calendar and talk about upcoming events like Spring Break and Birthday Parties. They already know that during family meetings in the summer we will start assigning weekly “contributions” (otherwise known as Chores). And, at the end they have “Show and Tell Time” where they get the spotlight to share what ever they would like. Last night, AB showed us a magnificent side jump, and OB displayed his leap-over-the-foot-stool maneuver.

I even made and an agenda. I mean, it’s a meeting, and when I was working outside the home, when I held meetings, I had an agenda…so it seemed to only make sense.  Some folks might say I have too much time on my hands. And, perhaps that is true.

I know it’s dorky. It certainly isn’t a typically meeting, since half of the participants are 4 and 5 year old. But, I think they are learning a lot and building some important life skills (communication, organization, negotiation, teamwork…) I also think it will serve our family well in the future.

I know we are not the only ones…Do you have family meetings?

What are your meetings like?