I don’t think there’s another word that could better describe this week. We *are* cold. And we *have* colds.
But all is not lost. I have my space heater humming along at my feet and take frequent Airborne breaks and chocolate tea breaks. And I have lots and lots (and lots and lots) of writing to do. Keeping really busy writing, writing, and more writing. Working on some super fun new things … which I’ll tell you all about very, very soon. (Very soon. Really.)
In the meantime, I wanted to share a new project I did last night. Simple and quick. (My favorite kind of project, don’t you know.) It’s just a little binder (which in and of itself isn’t all that exciting) but it’s going to be used to hold notes from our family meetings (which to me is quite exciting!)
We had our first official family meeting on Monday night and I have to tell you, we all LOVED it. I’ve been wanting to start family meetings for a really, really long time but thought the troops would revolt. I could not have been more wrong. Everyone thought it was fun and loved sharing their thoughts with the rest of the family. We talked about what makes us tick as a family. We talked about respect. We talked about how to be nice to our dogs. And on and on. It was one of those truly amazing family moments where you step back and say “wow, I am so lucky to be a part of this.” (And it produced all kinds of fresh scrapbooking material, captured, by me, the family “secretary” in this handy-dandy notebook.)
Anyway … if you’ve never had a family meeting, I highly recommend it. Such a great way to really sit down and talk about things with your family in a calm and open environment. It seems I usually try to solve the world’s (or at least the family’s) problems in the heat of the moment. Like when I’m just about to loose my mind if I see another pair of socks on the family room floor! How much more productive to talk about why socks on the family room floor makes mommy cranky when I am anything but cranky. Amazing how that works. 🙂
So do you have family meetings? We’re planning to make it a weekly event and we have quite a few topics left over from Monday’s meeting that we didn’t get to yet. But I’m wondering if you do this and if so, what types of things you talk about or do to keep your family meetings fun and interesting? I think we’re on to a good thing here so I want to ride the wave for as long as possible. Any ideas?
sorry you all are sick!! And what is chocolate tea?
We never had formal meetings as a child, but on Sundays at supper we’d line out our weeks and make plans……
Ok, my family seriously has to do this. What a great way to ‘air our dirty laundry’ so to speak! Anything from getting input on weeknight suppers, sports/evening schedules, how to help mom and dad around the house, how we’ll spend our special parent/child time, etc. This is good! I’ve got to write this down!
We have had family night on mondays on and off for YEARS but I have NEVER thought to keep a binder! WOW my mind is racing – we could keep notes and review what we have talked about – make assignments and – this is big – hold the assignee accountable! I was just at Staples today – I guess I’ll have to make another $30 trip for a binder and what ever else jumps out at me! Now to answer your questions – we have a different person in charge each week – the kids get a kick out of it when it is their turn and it teaches leadership (we hope):) We try to have a short lesson or spritual thought and an actvity and treats! And we always go over the calender for the week. Our lessons are on things like honesty, being responsible, peer pressure etc. The spiritual thought may be a story from the bible. The activity is usually some kind of game – cards or a short board game or any game the boys have learned from their friends or scout meetings. Wow – what a book I wrote – I love our family meetings!
We do the same thing, and try to meet on Monday nights, although sometimes it is Sunday when the schedule is too tight. We also rotate who is in charge of certain things, such as a lesson, songs, treat, etc. It has helped us communicate better, and also taught the children some more responsibility. We did use a spiral notebook to keep track, but have forgotten about it lately. We’ll have to get back to that. Maybe if I have a pretty notebook! Thanks for the idea!
Hi-we have had a family night for years and for quite awhile we had a binder with “notes” of what we talked about. My husband ran off an agenda, like who was present, what songs we sang, family business, etc. We rotated who was the “secretary” and believe me, some of the entries are absolutely hilarious. Very honest. You will treasure those forever! We did it on and off for about 4-5 years. My oldest is almost 30, youngest 13. I have 7 kids-so do it-you will never be sad…
i want chocolate tea…never ehard of it! by the way…LOVE the family notebook. and the idea itself… my mom TRIED implementing something like this with us, but we were too old by then, and it just didn’t stick. but I think it’s great idea, and something I’d like to even start NOW,with just me and my hubby (to be).
I have to say I’m excited for the time of ‘official’ family meetings. My kids are 5 and 3 now and we usually visit around the dinner table. So far so good, but really, I can’t wait. LOL
We have them frequently. Most popularly to discuss “what are we going to do today?” on a Saturday. Everyone gets their vote.
Hi Aby – I’ve been toying with this idea. . .I read Kathy Peel’s books on the Family Manger, and am reading positive Disipline where she speaks to a weekly family meeting. I think my 6 YO would love it – my husband would think it was silly and the baby would have no clue. LOL
Keep us posted on how it goes – and if I go ahead and do it – I am making one of those cute notebooks!!
Hillary
Sounds like a rousing success and the binder is fabulous. We’ve had a few family meetings…a little harder now that we have a two year old, but we do sit down and check in frequently. I don’t have a cute notebook though!
I love it! Family time can be so much fun. I am the oldest of eight siblings. Five of them were adopted.
About two years ago my mom started getting us together on Sunday afternoons to have a family prayer time. We get together share our needs for the week and then pray for each other.
I have found it to be a very uplifting time. It is also just a very warm time. I do not usually see my siblings during the week, so it is a great time just to catch up on the little things also.
I am a strong believer in making the most of the time we have. Even if you only have one family time together, you will at least all have the memory of that one time.
I wish many more wonderful family meetings for you and your family.
Jessica
Hi, I would love to hold these meetings. Been wanting to for a couple of years but no one i know does them so am a bit clueless. I have an 8 and 5 yr old. Half the family would moan, the other half love it. So i would love to know ideas on the content to get it right first time and everyone buy in to it. I would like it to be fun, play a game, have a treat, but also to review who did what with chores and reward, and get the children to make choices and stick to the choices. Be the choices for special tv, what rewards for chores and /or special one on one time if they work hard at school and particularly at home while learning responsibility which my 8yr old hates. fun fun fun is his motto. i think the binder would be a superb way to control and record matters, especially if its pretty fun to look at. I love the idea of taking turns for each family member. so how can we put across a fun project that is about organising for a stubborn 8 and 5 yr old Aby?
We do them occassionally, to discuss how we are all going as a family, what needs to change ect. We also hold them to just say thanks for being you, for doing good things, and we make a special treat too most times, to share and have fun, maybe play a team orientated game.