The Free Printable Family Meeting Worksheet Template & PDF

What Is A Family Team Meeting

As the name suggests, a Weekly Family Meeting is a gathering of family members, including extended family, to discuss the needs and goals of a particular family member or the family as a whole. Successful family meetings have the purpose of not only organizing things but also to change the family dynamic - I believe as a family systems therapist, that often more communication is needed in families in order to feel closer, to work on that family bond and improve the family values and family functioning.

A Family Meeting is a collaborative effort that involves everyone in the family, including children, and it seeks to empower them to take ownership of their lives and become active participants in decision-making, problem-solving, and solution-finding.

How to Have a Family Meeting

Family meetings are an excellent way to bring all members of your family together, discuss important issues, and improve communication within the family. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to have a successful family meeting and provide you with a free family meeting agenda template worksheet and PDF.

Step 1: Set a date and time

The first step in having regular meetings is setting a date and time that works for everyone. Choose a time when all family members are available and avoid scheduling during meal times or other activities. It's essential to make sure that the entire family is committed to attending the meeting and being present for the discussion.

Step 2: Create an agenda

To make the most of your weekly meetings, it's essential to create an agenda. The agenda will help you stay on track and ensure that all important topics are covered. Encourage all family members to contribute to the agenda and bring up any issues or topics they want to discuss.

If you take a look at our printable file PDF and video you will see we try and keep this as simple as 

• - What worked this week?
• - What didn't work?
• - What do you need even more of?
• - What does the family calendar look like this week

Step 3: Hold the meeting

During the meeting, stick to the agenda and make sure everyone has a chance to speak. Encourage open communication and listening to each other's perspectives.

Try to keep the tone positive and constructive, even when discussing difficult topics. Sometimes it's a good idea to let the young kids have a role like keeping track of the to-do lists,

Step 4: Set The Date! For the next family meeting!

Seriously, if you've gone to all the effort of getting everyone together, make the most of it now, and get everyone to agree on the time and date of the meeting next week. Ideally it's good to have it at a regular time each week. 

Step 5: Follow up

After the meeting, make sure to follow up on any action items or decisions made during the meeting. Schedule another meeting if necessary to continue the discussion or follow up on any unresolved issues. Family life is hectic and stressful so don't expect to get it all fixed in one or two meetings, reaching your family goals and changing existing dynamics happens over time.

Your Free Family Meeting Worksheet & PDF

Click here to download the free printable family meeting agenda in a PDF

Family Meeting Agenda Sample

The printable template I give out to the families I work with is downloadable using the link here- but really, it can be modified to include all the important things you need and want from your family. 

• Fun Question - conversation starters might be helpful for the first meeting if it feels awkward.
• Schedule -who is going where and when?
• House Keeping -anything we need to know about the house?
• Supplies -who needs what and by when?
• Family Rules - use this opportunity to remind teens and tweens about rules and responsibilities
• Upcoming Events - who needs to be where and when?
• Rules -caregivers remind children of rules and consequences
• Gratitude -share something positive or the best things that happened this week.

What Are Some Family Meeting Questions?

Family Meeting Questions To Start or to Keep It Short:

The most basic structure might just be asking these three questions:

• - What worked this previous week?
• - What didn't work?
• - What do you need even more of?

Family Meeting Questions About Schedule:

• - Who is doing what this week?
• - What are the family plans for the upcoming week? Sports practices, / extra-curricular activities etc
• - Who needs help getting from A - B
• - Who will cook dinner?
• - Who will pick ___ up on Tuesday?
• - What fun activity are we all doing?

Family Meeting Topics To Share Gratitude and The Positive Things.

• - What is one thing you are proud of this week?
• - Who wants to give a shout-out to someone in the family?
• - Who has something positive they want to share from last week?

How to Make Family Meetings Fun and Effective

Family meetings are a great way to bring your family together, communicate effectively, and resolve issues. However, if family meetings are not properly planned and executed, they can be boring and unproductive. Here are some tips on how to make family meetings upbeat and effective:

1. Keep it short and sweet

Family meetings should not last longer than an hour. Set a time limit! It's one of those important points as younger children have shorter attention spans than adults, so it's important to keep the meeting focused and engaging. Start and end the meeting on time to respect everyone's schedules.

2. Create a welcoming environment

Family meetings should be conducted in a relaxed and informal setting. You can have the meeting in the living room or backyard, depending on the weather. Make sure everyone is comfortable and has access to water and snacks.

3. Encourage participation

Encourage everyone to participate in the meeting, especially the younger children. Listen to everyone's ideas and opinions, and make sure everyone has a chance to speak.

4. Sparkling Moments.

In the format we discuss in the video above, I discuss sparkling moments - a way to share compliments and appreciation of our family members in a creative kind way. If it's always negative and about rules, then your family will lose interest and won't have buy-in for the next meeting.

Family Meeting Ideas: Ground Rules

To ensure a successful family meeting, it's important to establish ground rules that will help keep the discussion respectful and productive. Here are some ground rules that you can use:

1. Listen actively: It's important to listen to each other without interrupting or judging. Allow each person to express their thoughts and feelings without interruption.

2. Speak respectfully: Use respectful language and tone of voice when communicating with each other. Avoid using offensive language or tone of voice.

3. Be honest: Encourage honesty and openness. Everyone should feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas.

4. Stay focused: Stick to the agenda and avoid getting sidetracked. If a topic is taking too long, table it for another meeting.

5. Agree on action items: At the end of the meeting, agree on action items and follow up on them.

6. Keep it positive: Try to keep the tone positive and constructive, even when discussing difficult topics.

By following these ground rules, you can create a safe and supportive space where everyone's opinions are heard and respected. Family meetings can be an excellent way to improve communication and strengthen relationships within the family. Download our free family meeting worksheet and PDF to get started!

The Benefits of Holding Regular Family Meetings

As our lives get busier and more hectic, it can be difficult to find time to connect with our loved ones. However, one way to create a stronger sense of family unity is by holding regular family meetings. Not only can this practice help improve communication and decision-making, but it can also be a fun and engaging activity for everyone involved. Here are some of the benefits of holding regular family meetings:

1. Improved Communication

Holding regular family meetings can help improve and develop effective communication skills among family members. It provides a space for participation from everyone, to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns in a supportive environment. By encouraging open and honest discussions, family meetings can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts from escalating.

2. Better Decision-Making

Family meetings can also be a great way to make important decisions as a family. Whether it's planning a vacation, discussing household chores, or setting financial goals, family meetings allow everyone to have a say in the decision-making process. This can help ensure that everyone's needs and opinions are considered, leading to better outcomes for the whole family.

3. Increased Sense of Unity

By coming together regularly as a family, you can create a sense of unity and belonging. Family meetings provide an opportunity to celebrate successes, address challenges, and work together towards common goals. This can help strengthen family bonds and create a supportive, loving environment for everyone.

4. Fun and Engaging Activity

Family meetings don't have to be all serious business – they can also be a fun and goofy because it's all about you connecting with your family.  In a family meeting ideas for activities can start flowing if the tone for creativity is set. 

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