Coming together as a family and spending quality time as a unit can be carried out in many different ways. From enjoying a meal together to going to a playground after school, the more we spend time with our children, the stronger the family unit becomes.
Family meetings are another important way to spend time together, and indeed plan on how to spend time together. They’re a great way to introduce more organisation, communication and predictability within the home, allowing everyone to understand each other’s schedules and listen to each other’s feelings.
Here, Anglicare Victoria explains how to introduce family meetings within your home, their benefits and the positives of having solid routines. We’ll also explain our free-of-charge ParentZone program which is available for Victorian families.
What is a family meeting?
A family meeting is a gathering of all family members in your home in which you discuss important things like problems within the home, schedules, values, and anything else of note. The purpose of holding regular family meetings is to increase communication between family members and listen to one another, giving your children a voice within the home.
Rules of the family meeting
Many families have rules which must be followed during family meetings. Some examples include:
- No phones during the family meeting, so that full attention can be given to the speaker
- Only one person can talk at a time
- No raising of voices allowed
- No leaving the table until the meeting is over
What to discuss during a family meeting
The content of your family meeting may be broad and varied. Some points of discussion may include:
- Logistics
Discuss your schedules so that every family member is aware of everyone else’s commitments outside the home. This may include sports training, odd shifts at work or social events. - Problems
Every family experiences problems. The family meeting is a perfect place to discuss them and aim to resolve them. - Potential changes
When potentially lifechanging shifts happen, like moving to a new city or a new work schedule, this should be discussed at a family meeting. - Emotions
Check up on how your family is doing emotionally and mentally.
Benefits of having regular family meetings
There are several benefits of regular family meetings:
- Improved routines
This is your chance to implement more predictability within the home, sticking to a routine. - Improved communication
Communicating clearly within the family is a key responsibility of any parent or carer – family meetings give you an opportunity for this. - Building children’s self-esteem
Your children should feel confident in being able to speak their mind freely at home and should feel understood. Family meetings provide a platform for this, too.
Anglicare Victoria’s ParentZone program
If you’re wondering how to start holding regular family meetings, but you’re still unsure, we are here to help you. Anglicare Victoria’s ParentZone program is a free-of-charge service, available to Victorian parents everywhere. It focusses on improving communication and relations between parents and children using therapeutic and educational strategies. With expert counsellors, we can implement long-lasting, positive change between parents and children. Get in touch with Anglicare Victoria and ask about our ParentZone program today.
