It is difficult for me to choose a favorite Positive Discipline parenting tool, but family meetings are at the top. Children learn so much during family meetings, such as listening, respecting differences, verbalizing appreciation, problem-solving, and experiencing that mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn and focusing on solutions. I have a much longer list, but you get the idea. Family meetings also create a family tradition and will create many memories.
One of my favorite stories is about a time my teenagers started complaining about family meetings and saying that they were stupid and lame. I empathized, told them we could shorten them, but to humor me because they were so important to me.
During this period, 17-year-old Mary spent the night with a friend. She came home the next day and declared, That family is so screwed up. They should have family meetings.
