Not all families are ready for family meetings. Family meetings work when a family is ready to problem-solve together. If this is not the case, then family therapy is the best place to start to lead to more self-directed collaboration.
When considering if your family is ready for family meetings some things to consider are:
- Are the members committed and able to problem solve together, without violence or shouting?
- Is there a relatively equal balance of power between the two parents (in two-parent families)?
- Is there a willingness and ability to listen to one another and disagree?
- Does everyone feel safe expressing themselves in the family?
- Are the parents in the family able to show love to their children and also set firm boundaries?
Adapted from (Fetsch & Jacobson).
If these answers are yes, then your family might be ready to try out some family meetings. When the topic is appropriate, children as young as 2 or 3 can be at family meetings. It is important that everyone at the meeting speaks at some point and is heard.
Family meetings have the potential to be a wonderful tool to facilitate bonding and deeper connection, after all, the aim is to improve understanding and communication, to support one another in getting everyone’s needs met.
Have you experienced a successful family meeting? If you have, drop an emoji.
Have a fabulous day,
Love Jen