Family Meetings Build Cooperation and Family Unity
This family meeting format is from Active Parenting started by Michael Popkin, PhD. My husband, daughter, and I had family meetings for years with great results. We learned how to discuss issues and problem solve together. The bridges of communication stayed open because our daughter knew she would be heard and respected.
The Family Meeting Outline
Leadership Roles
- The chairperson keeps the discussion on track and sees that everybody’s opinion is heard.
- The secretary takes notes during the meeting, writes the minutes after the meeting, and reads the minutes at the next meeting.
- Positions are rotated.
Overall Agenda for a Family Meeting
- Compliments
- Minutes
- Old business/new business
- Allowances
- Treat or family activity
Some Ground Rules for Conducting Problem Solving Discussions
- Every person has an equal voice.
- Everyone may say what she thinks and feels about each issue.
- Decisions are made by consensus.
- All decisions are in effect until the next meeting.
- Some decisions are reserved for parents to make.
Have you tried a family meeting? What has been the results?
2013 Cynthia Klein has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with dads, moms and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking, webinars, and private parent coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula. Contact Cynthia at bridges 2 understanding, bridges2understanding.com or call 650. 341.0779.
Copyright © 2026, Cynthia Klein, All rights reserved. Please contact Cynthia to use any of her blog post.
About Cynthia Klein
Cynthia Klein’s mission is to contribute to World Peace and building healthy family relationships is the place to begin. As a parenting expert for over 30 years, parents have learned from Cynthia how to communicate more effectively as an ally rather than an adversary. Her unique Family Harmony System teaches parents of 5 and older how to have open dialogue, solve problems together, support one another, and build mutual respect. Cynthia is the author of Ally Parenting and the video-based self-paced program Win, Win, Win, Parenting. She has presented over 700 talks and coached hundreds of parents privately towards greater family connection and harmony. To learn more about her services of coaching and speaking, contact Cynthia Klein at , visit her website at bridges2understanding.com.
