PARENTING
making connections
FAMILY MEETINGS The new year is ALL about taking charge of your family. Prepare to switch from amateur psychologists to authority figures. BY JANIE SNYDERMAN
J
ust so you know, your family is normal. All of that conflict you’re experiencing is typical. Nobody has a perfect family — they do not exist — so give yourself a break if you’re thinking why us? Heading into 2022, COVID-19 uncertainty still lingers in the air, inflation is driving the prices of groceries sky high and family dynamics can easily go off the rails if you let them. You need a strategy. To fortify your family, consider implementing family meetings. Family meetings are opportunities for parents and kids to talk
about important issues, strengthen communication, reinforce values and nurture positive relationships. Many moms and dads are often hesitant to adopt family meetings because they don’t understand the purpose or structure, says Amy Morin, author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do (William Morrow; 2017). When effectively organized and led, there are many benefits to holding family meetings. “Family meetings strengthen relationships and foster core developmental abilities in kids of all ages,” Morin says. These abili-
ties prepare children for leadership positions in their schools and provide an intentional way for parents to raise genuinely successful kids with internal abilities that help them navigate through life. Meetings provide a regular opportunity to: • Learn about each other and the world • Practice communication skills • Overcome challenges together • Reflect on feelings • Live your family values • Set and achieve shared goals • Have fun and inspire one another • Appreciate your loved ones (please turn the page)
nashvilleparent.com
january 2022 21
