Regular family meetings are a great way to get together, discuss important items, and share praise with other members of the family. Like in business, great family meetings benefit from a family meeting agenda.
Let’s take a closer look at what family meeting agendas are, why they’re useful, and what to include on yours. I’ll also share some conversation topics and agenda item ideas for your next family meeting.
What is a family meeting agenda?
A family meeting agenda is a lot like an agenda for a business meeting. It features the date, time, and agenda topics. The goal is to help you stay organized, discuss what’s important, and cover everything you want to say.
With a family meeting agenda, it’s easy for the whole family to see what’s going to be discussed at the weekly family meeting. It promotes open communication, trust, and encourages everyone to get involved — especially older children that can help contribute to the agenda.
You could start a digital family meeting worksheet or template, or use a printable family meeting agenda template. Whatever works best for your family.
Why do you need a family meeting agenda?
Family meeting agendas are a great way to simplify the process of hosting weekly family meetings. They make everything easier — from planning, to staying focused, to following up on what’s happened since last week.
A family meeting agenda can help you:
- Stay more organized
- Feel prepared ahead of your family meetings
- Create a template you can re-use to save time
- Work on problem-solving obstacles together
- Focus on what’s most important to you
- Stay focused, so you don’t get distracted and veer off track
- Help you share more compliments and praise
- Keep track of what’s happening in your family
These are just some of the benefits of family meeting agendas. Introducing one to your own family get-togethers will help you understand just how impactful they can be, and might help you find some other benefits too.
What to include on the family meeting agenda
Most family meeting agendas feature very similar structures and talking points. If you’re about to run your first meeting, or you just want to improve what’s already happening, we’re here to help.
Here’s what to feature on your family meeting agenda.
When the meeting is happening
First up, let everyone know when your family meeting is happening. Set a date, time, and location. This will almost always be at home, and you’ll probably meet at the same time and on the same day each week. Creating a habit around this can help everyone commit to the process.
Family values
Create time on your agenda to highlight family values. You might want to talk about your family rules, family goals, or family culture. Say together what family looks like to you all — and how you’ll embrace this in your everyday behaviors.
Topics to discuss
Next up, list out the topics you want to discuss. Maybe you want to brainstorm ideas together on where to go for your next family vacation, or you want to discuss family life to see what’s working and what isn’t.
Upcoming events
Make sure you include a section all about upcoming events. Look at the family calendar together to see what’s happening next week and for the month ahead. Now’s the time to make sure you have gifts ordered, travel arranged, and appointments booked if you need them.
Time for compliments
Before you finish your meeting, create time for compliments and praise. Encourage every family member to highlight something positive that another has done, and express gratitude or praise. Compliments can be a great way to make everyone feel appreciated and loved, and encourages a culture of kindness.
Family activity
Last but definitely not least, end your meeting with a fun activity. Try something to improve your family bond — like a co-op board game, or head outside to play some casual soccer together. Use this spot to improve on a hobby or interest every week, or mix things up and try different activities together.
35 questions to ask at your family meetings
Stuck for ideas on what to discuss at your next family meeting? Here are some of our favorite tried-and-tested ideas for your family meeting agenda topics.
- What should be on next week’s meal plan?
- How do you feel about the time we spend together?
- What do you love most about family time?
- How can we introduce more family fun?
- Which family traditions do you enjoy? Are there any you don’t?
- How can you be a better friend?
- What should our family ground rules be?
- Do you know how to keep a budget?
- How can we improve our listening skills?
- Is there anything you need support with right now?
- What did you enjoy most in the last week?
- Which life skills should we work on next?
- How should you apologize?
- How would you rate your contributions in the previous week?
- What should we add to the grocery list this week?
- What random act of kindness could you try this week?
- Do you know our family emergency plan?
- Where can you find help if you need it?
- Which home project should we tackle next?
- Who can you confide in?
- Do you know how you can help around the house?
- Do you need help with any homework?
- Where should we go for our next family vacation?
- Have you made time for self care?
- How can you express gratitude?
- Which of our family rules needs to be reworked?
- How do you feel about the idea of getting a family pet?
- How is everything at school/college?
- What does it mean to be kind to someone?
- How do you feel about lying?
- Do you have any ideas for family days out?
- What should you do if you see someone hurt someone else?
- How can you be better at managing money?
- How do you stand up for yourself?
- What makes you proud?
These are just a few ideas — the possibilities are endless! You could even introduce some of these as standing questions each week, or rotate through them to keep the conversation fresh.
Host successful family meetings with a family meeting agenda
Running effective family meetings takes patience, kindness, and organization. Use a family meeting agenda to help your meetings go smoothly and take some of the pressure off your plate. Take these ideas to help you build your own agenda template or structure, then re-use it every week — simply change the agenda topics and any questions you want to ask.
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