Our Back-to-School Family Meeting, Explained

A few years ago, we started having an annual family meeting before the school year began. The purpose was two-fold: to establish an updated structure as we entered a new season another year older and to give everyone a chance to give feedback, ask questions, and get on the same page. A lot of times, with things like chores or bedtimes or screen time, structure doesn’t get put into place because there is just so much else going on or we revert to old habits without ever re-evaluating from the perspective of another year older. I really like having a formal time for everyone to sit down, discuss, and decide as a team.

(Templates for everything are at the bottom of this post!)

I am a nerdy person who loves this stuff. I love a work sheet. I love an agenda. I love checking the boxes. I also realize that can be a little crazy and off-putting to young children, moody teens, and type-B husbands. The secret to our annual family meeting? Leaning hard into the novelty of a very “FaNcY fOrmAl meEtiNG” complete with an invitation, worksheet, agenda, and snacks. It’s max-level cringe and max-level effective.

First, I text a a graphic / invitation out on our family group text. I make everyone respond with their RSVP to kick the cringe off in style.