231. Family Meeting that Don't Suck - How to Actually Make Them Work

Hey Family Brand! It’s Melissa here, and if you’ve ever tried to hold a family meeting that ended in chaos, eye-rolls, or zero follow-through… this episode is for you.

We’re diving into a topic that might sound boring but can truly transform your family culture: family meetings. Trust me, I get it—most of us didn’t grow up doing these, and if we did, we may not have the best memories of them. But what if family meetings didn’t suck? What if they were actually helpful, hopeful, and maybe even a little fun?

This idea hit me recently while working with a coaching client who was really passionate about optimizing his family meetings. That conversation reminded me that even if we’ve covered this before, it’s something worth revisiting—and often. When life feels a little out of sync or chaotic, a family meeting rhythm can be the very thing that brings us back to center.

In this episode, Chris and I talk about how meetings are often a reflection of how well (or how poorly) things are running in any group—your family included. We share how being intentional with simple, consistent family meetings has helped us stay connected and work as a team. You’ll also hear why “too many meetings” or “not enough meetings” can both be problems—and how to strike the balance.

We get real about the resistance you might face—yes, especially from your kids—and how you can gently but firmly lead with vision. I also share our free Family Meeting Guide, which includes videos and a printable PDF to walk you through everything step-by-step. You can grab it at familybrand.com/meeting.

And don’t worry—we’re not saying you need to overhaul your entire schedule overnight. Start small. Even a quick weekly check-in over dinner (with snacks, of course!) can work wonders.

At the end of the day, we want to help you build a home where your family communicates, feels seen, and works toward shared goals. Family meetings might not be flashy, but they’re powerful. Let’s make them work.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand! 

• stan.store/familybrand

 

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Why summer’s end has us craving more structure
• 1:10 – The connection between meetings and family culture
• 3:00 – Common mistakes families make with meetings
• 4:40 – Real talk: meetings that don’t work (and what does)
• 6:30 – Using existing rhythms to “bake in” intentional time
• 7:45 – Overview of the free Family Meeting Guide
• 8:30 – Start small: choose one type of meeting to try
• 9:15 – Tips to overcome resistance (snacks help!)
• 10:00 – Reflecting on the influence we have as parents
• 11:00 – Why this matters most in the long run