When your kids blame others for their own misbehaviors, watch out.

If you always accept what your child says and scold the other child, you may be raising a blamer. Try not to get in the middle. Use the family meeting instead.

“Look what you did, you stupid kid. It’s all his fault.” Page 3 from Billy the Blamer in Character Building on BackTalk Street

Your kids will have lots to say about blaming. They see it at school, in the neighborhood, and maybe they’ll see it in themselves too.

The Family Meeting

Let’s use Billy the Blamer’s story from BackTalk Street. Here are some questions to consider for your family meeting:

To avoid your child from becoming defensive, discuss blaming by reading a short story about it. This means you won’t be directing the conversation at your child’s behavior and he’ll feel freer to share his thoughts.

Key Idea: When you know how your child thinks, you’ll be better able to help him. Why? Because building character starts with getting your kids to talk.

One more thing, remember to set up a weekly time for holding family meetings. You’ll enjoy the meetings and you’ll be building character in your child.

Pick up Character Building on BackTalk Street. It has games, puzzles, stickers and discussion stories about the kids and their misbehaviors on BackTalk Street. Read the stories at your family meetings. Enjoy the discussions.

All these family meeting blogs will become a Family Meeting eBook. Do you want to have your comments, questions, tips, and first name included?  Just  leave your comments below.

If spelling or grammar are problem, don't worry. I'll do the editing. To assure you of quality no links or objectionable material will be included.

Being on Jury Duty these past few days inspired me. I saw the fairness in our system. The lawyers were professional and respectful.

The judge respected the lawyers by letting them lay out the case and she respected the jurors in the manner she gave us several instructions. She never gave us her impressions or tried to sway us in any way.

The jury, without knowing each other, came together to discuss and make decisions. Each member took the task seriously and we made the best decisions we could with the information we had.



If you get the call to be a juror, take it. You'll be inspired too.

Kids enjoy slumber parties with their friends. Why not enjoy a slumber party within your family? Look inside to find out how.

Building character takes more than rules. It takes fun times together. A family slumber party will be remembered long after it is over. It will warm your hearts.

"The grass isn't greener on the 'other side. The grass isn't greener on your side. It's Greener where you water it." - Source Unknown

The Family Meeting:

To water the grass within your home, hold a family meeting to plan a family slumber party. Find out the answers to the following questions:

When shall we schedule it?

Which room is best for the party?

Who’ll get out the sleeping bags?

Who wants pop corn for the party?

Do you want to talk and giggle late into the night?

What else would you like to do at the party?

Conclusion for the Family Meeting:

Besides looking forward to the slumber party, realize how much you are teaching your children. They’ll learn to brainstorm good ideas, make group decisions, enjoy each other, and build a creative character too. Let the weekly family meeting help you parent with excellence. You can water the grass within your home.

How do you have family fun?

Additional Help:

Our Family Meeting Diary records your parenting skills and proves you helped your family grow with fun activities. Pick it up and play today.

Would you like to build a happy character in your kids? Even if your family lacks talent, have fun together. Create a music night. Look inside to find out how.

"How do you spell Love to your children? T.I.M.E " - Source Unknown

Hold a Family Meeting:

Don’t let your kids become shy, fearful of making mistakes, or feel their opinions don’t count. Loosen them up by planning a family music night.

Help your kids discuss the following:

Find a night that fits for everyone

Decide which kitchen utensil will be the microphone

Pick out the best music to play

Ask, “Who wants to sing?

    Dance?

    Clap to rhythm?

    Whistle?

    Mime a song?

    Play an instrument?

On Family Music Night

When one round of songs is finished, take turns using the different ways to make music. Keep playing and exchanging until everyone has tried every method.

Become an orchestra. Pick the best song for everyone to express themselves together.

The family meeting helps everyone look forward to music night. When the members can be silly, express themselves without criticism, and have fun together, your family will be building a happy character within each person.

Additional Help:

Record your Family Meeting Discussion in our Family Meeting Diary. Years from now read your Family Diary and remember how much fun you had.

Dear Parents,

Family meetings create an unbeatable bond between parents and kids. In family meetings parents have the opportunity to build character, plan events, discuss problems, and have fun with their kids. The family meeting is the natural forum for guiding our children.

Your Invitation to Write Your Family Meeting Comments into My Next eBook:

Want to have your comments, questions, or tips, and first name included in my next Family Meeting e-Book? Just leave your comments on some or all of my blogs about the family meeting.



If spelling or grammar is a problem, don't worry. I'll do the editing. To assure you of quality, no links or objectionable material will be included.

I'd love to include your ideas, questions, and comments.

With warm wishes for your family meeting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Dear Parents,

Family meetings create an unbeatable bond between parents and kids. In family meetings parents have the opportunity to build character, plan events, discuss problems, and have fun with their kids. The family meeting is the natural forum for guiding our children.

Your Invitation to Write Your Family Meeting Comments into My Next eBook:

Want to have your comments, questions, or tips, and first name included in my next Family Meeting e-Book? Just leave your comments on some or all of my blogs about the family meeting.



If spelling or grammar is a problem, don't worry. I'll do the editing. To assure you of quality, no links or objectionable material will be included.

I'd love to include your ideas, questions, and comments.

With warm wishes for your family meeting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Help your kids discuss family fun events before it’s too late. Don’t know how? Find out with the power of family meetings to bond your family with fun activities like the one below. It builds character too.

The Family Meeting

The thunder is roaring. The lightning is crackling. Enjoy the dark with candles. This is the time to create pleasant memories.

Discuss how to prepare for storm events:

Talk about what it was like before the light bulb

Plan a candle light game night

Talk about safety and candles

Ask who will find the candles?

Find out which board games the family enjoys?

Where are they stored?

Will there be cookies?

Who will get them?

The Family Meeting is perfect for planning family fun and building character. When the power goes out, light the candles. You don’t have to wait for thunder and lightning. Get your kids to discuss how to have family fun now.

Why not pretend the power is out tonight? Enjoy your kids.

What does your family do when the power goes out?

Additional Help:

Pick up the Family Meeting Diary to keep a log of your family meetings. Years from now, it will become your family memory book. Why not start today?

Help your kids discuss family fun events before it’s too late. Don’t know how? Find out with the power of family meetings to bond your family with fun activities like the one below. It builds character too.

The Family Meeting

The thunder is roaring. The lightning is crackling. Enjoy the dark with candles. This is the time to create pleasant memories.

Discuss how to prepare for storm events:

Talk about what it was like before the light bulb

Plan a candle light game night

Talk about safety and candles

Ask who will find the candles?

Find out which board games the family enjoys?

Where are they stored?

Will there be cookies?

Who will get them?

The Family Meeting is perfect for planning family fun and building character. When the power goes out, light the candles. You don’t have to wait for thunder and lightning. Get your kids to discuss how to have family fun now.

Why not pretend the power is out tonight? Enjoy your kids.

What does your family do when the power goes out?

Additional Help:

Pick up the Family Meeting Diary to keep a log of your family meetings. Years from now, it will become your family memory book. Why not start today?

Most kids don’t know how to make a friend. They may be shy, too loud, brag, or try too hard. If your child wants friends but doesn’t know how to make them, look inside.

Most kids don’t know how to make a friend. They may be shy, too loud, brag, or try too hard. If your child wants friends but doesn’t know how to make them, look inside.

If your kid tells lies, use the family meeting. It’s painful to learn that your kids lie to you, friends, and teachers. Look inside to find out how the family meeting can turn fibbers into honest children.

Always tell the truth. That way, you don't have to remember what you said. – Mark Twain

The Family Meeting

Have a story and some handy discussion questions ready to help your kids share their opinions about lying. Consider the following:

Let’s pretend you just told your mom that your little brother lost your homework. She’s scolding your brother and he’s crying. The truth is you never did your homework.

Will you tell the truth? Why or why not?

Why do you think kids lie?

Do you care if someone lies to you? Why?

How can you tell if a friend is lying?

How would you tell a friend he’s lying? Role-play it.

Why is being honest better than lying even when you know you’ll get into trouble?

If your kid tells lies, use the family meeting. It’s painful to learn that your kids lie to you, friends, and teachers. Look inside to find out how the family meeting can turn fibbers into honest children.

Always tell the truth. That way, you don't have to remember what you said. – Mark Twain

The Family Meeting

Have a story and some handy discussion questions ready to help your kids share their opinions about lying. Consider the following:

Let’s pretend you just told your mom that your little brother lost your homework. She’s scolding your brother and he’s crying. The truth is you never did your homework.

Will you tell the truth? Why or why not?

Why do you think kids lie?

Do you care if someone lies to you? Why?

How can you tell if a friend is lying?

How would you tell a friend he’s lying? Role-play it.

Why is being honest better than lying even when you know you’ll get into trouble?

Do your kids brag? How do you stop them without crushing their spirits? Some kids say ridiculous things like, “My dad killed a bear with his bare hands.” Or “I’m the smartest kid in my whole class.” Such bragging needs to stop if they’re ever going to have friends. Look inside to see how the family meeting can help.

Do your kids brag? How do you stop them without crushing their spirits? Some kids say ridiculous things like, “My dad killed a bear with his bare hands.” Or “I’m the smartest kid in my whole class.” Such bragging needs to stop if they’re ever going to have friends. Look inside to see how the family meeting can help.

Do your kids whine about going to school talent shows when their sibling is the star? How can you get your children to support each other? Look inside to see the power of the family meeting.

There are only two lasting bequests we an hope to give our children. One of these is roots: the other, wings. - Hodding Carter

Each child in your family has special gifts. Ask your members to describe the gifts they see in their brothers and sisters.

Let’s pretend your daughter, Amanda, is going to play a solo in the school musical. Use the family meeting to discuss how each member can support her.

The Family Meeting ~

Discuss the following questions:

·     “What is the meaning of family love?”

·     “How can we support Amanda to show that love?”

·     “Why should we attend each others’ ‘special’ events?”

·     “If it was your event, how would you want the family to support  you?”

·     “After the event what kind of celebration should there be for the Amanda?”   Let the Amanda pick the celebration she wants.

Imagine how loved your Amanda would feel. Her solid roots within the family would give her the wings to perform. Your family has the power to

give her those roots by celebrating her success. 

Do your kids whine about going to school talent shows when their sibling is the star? How can you get your children to support each other? Look inside to see the power of the family meeting.

There are only two lasting bequests we an hope to give our children. One of these is roots: the other, wings. - Hodding Carter

Each child in your family has special gifts. Ask your members to describe the gifts they see in their brothers and sisters.

Let’s pretend your daughter, Amanda, is going to play a solo in the school musical. Use the family meeting to discuss how each member can support her.

The Family Meeting ~

Discuss the following questions:

·     “What is the meaning of family love?”

·     “How can we support Amanda to show that love?”

·     “Why should we attend each others’ ‘special’ events?”

·     “If it was your event, how would you want the family to support  you?”

·     “After the event what kind of celebration should there be for the Amanda?”   Let the Amanda pick the celebration she wants.

Imagine how loved your Amanda would feel. Her solid roots within the family would give her the wings to perform. Your family has the power to

give her those roots by celebrating her success. 

Where would your family like to bike? Are there special bike routes nearby? Or do you need a bike map to plan family fun? Look inside to see how family meetings can help you make the plans you need.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  - John Muir

The Family Meeting

The family meeting is ideal for planning bike rides with your family. Deciding where to go, mountains, river paths, or wilderness can be an exciting way to get the children involved.

Find out who is willing to:

Check bike gears and wheels

Prepare a picnic basket

Pack a blanket or two

Get out the biking helmets

Bring emergency medical supplies

Bring some bike tools

Map out the bike trail

Get everyone’s ideas for making this biking trip a fun event. When everyone’s involved, you can be sure your family will have fun.

How do you plan family fun?

Share planning fun events for everyone to enjoy with my Family Meeting Diary at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006  Experience the family closeness you always dreamed of.

Where would your family like to bike? Are there special bike routes nearby? Or do you need a bike map to plan family fun? Look inside to see how family meetings can help you make the plans you need.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  - John Muir

The Family Meeting

The family meeting is ideal for planning bike rides with your family. Deciding where to go, mountains, river paths, or wilderness can be an exciting way to get the children involved.

Find out who is willing to:

Check bike gears and wheels

Prepare a picnic basket

Pack a blanket or two

Get out the biking helmets

Bring emergency medical supplies

Bring some bike tools

Map out the bike trail

Get everyone’s ideas for making this biking trip a fun event. When everyone’s involved, you can be sure your family will have fun.

How do you plan family fun?

Share planning fun events for everyone to enjoy with my Family Meeting Diary at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006  Experience the family closeness you always dreamed of.

Do your children avoid homework? Would they rather relax and watch television? Find out how family meetings can promote grades, homework, and family life.

“Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.” - Roger Lewin

Many families rush to sports, music lessons, and other appointments. When there are too many daily events the family feels scattered, out of touch with each other, and cranky. Homework slides. If this happens in your home, consider the family meeting.

The Family Meeting

Discuss the best time for homework at the family meeting. Schedule homework time. Get the children involved. Listen to their suggestions for the following:

·     Will study time be before or after dinner?

·     When to check that the homework is correct and neat?

·     Will TV or computer games be allowed after homework is checked?

·     Will there be rewards for doing the homework well, like game time with you?

Getting children to solve when to do their homework promotes their cooperation. It helps them experience the good feeling of being organized. They’ll get better grades too. Why not use the family meeting to improve homework, grades, and family life?

Want more help with family meetings? Get Jean’s ready-made notebook, the Family Meeting Diary at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd006 and keep track of all your meetings. You’ll love reading about your family’s successes.