If you’re having family meetings, I highly encourage you to write down the important parts of the meeting. This will prevent any misunderstandings about what was discussed and give everybody a a record for reference.
This is how we structure our family meetings. We all have roles during the meeting. My kids are currently 5 and 8 and they have done all of the roles (some with a little bit of help). There is a meeting leader. The leader will keep everybody on task and take notes. I LOVE The Trip Clip for creating the agenda for the family meetings, since you can add clipart to the words to help the little ones.
There is a store owner. Every week, the girls get an allowance of $5. This isn’t for doing chores, this is to help teach them how to budget. They do have “family contributions” that they’re expected to do throughout the week though. I pick up little things from the Dollar store, Target dollar section or Wal-Mart. The store owner has to add up what is being purchased and give change. The kids also have the option to hang onto their money for bigger items next week or donate to St. Jude’s or the Humane Society. Surprisingly they’ve chosen to donate almost every time!
The snack maker serves whatever snack they made during the week. This requires some planning ahead since the snack will need to be ready during meeting time.
The fun planner plans a family activity for the end of the meeting. Some things we’ve chosen to do are play a board game, play hide and seek, go to an indoor amusement place and play silly games that are completely made up.
We start the meeting with celebrations and compliments. Take this time to recognize family members for something they’ve accomplished or a time you caught them being helpful/kind.
Next, we move on to the weekly calendar. It’s helpful to know what to expect for the week ahead so you can plan for dinners, time together and the kids know if you plan on being out at all.
After that, we talk about the discussion we’ve decided on. You can have a sheet near your calendar or on the fridge and if anyone has anything they would like to discuss, they add it to the list. Everyone gets a chance to talk and you discuss pros and cons of the scenario. What is the solution you came up with together? Also discuss what you’re doing well (maybe from previous discussions) and what needs work.
We get to shop at the store next. Have prices on the items, have a list or just know the prices of everything ahead of time. Remind kids they can save up for a bigger item or split up their money to save, spend and donate.
Snack time! The snack maker will serve the snacks at this point.
Lastly, we move onto what the fun planner has planned.
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