Use the Family Council to plan your year in harmony

What is the Family Council?

The Family Council is a precious moment where the whole family meets regularly to discuss, share and make decisions together. It is a safe space where everyone can express themselves freely, propose solutions and actively participate in the organization of family life. More than just a meeting, it is a powerful tool that allows you to:

• Strengthening family ties
• Developing listening and mutual respect
• Empowering each family member
• Finding sustainable solutions to everyday challenges
• Create an atmosphere of cooperation rather than confrontation

To discover all the details about the Family Council, we invite you to read our full interview with Danielle Jasmin , expert and pioneer of this approach.

A collaborative approach to annual planning

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to gather your Family Council and lay the foundations of effective family organization together. Transform these meetings into special and fun moments! Why not create a special ritual? Get comfortable in the living room with soft cushions, prepare a unique snack reserved for "official meetings" (Council cookies!), use a special object as a "talking stick" that gives the person holding it the right to speak. Some families even have fun playing roles: a chairperson, a secretary who notes down decisions, or even a "timekeeper" who makes sure the meeting stays dynamic. Don't forget to reward good participation with tokens from the General Store - a great way to recognize constructive interventions, attentive listening or creative solutions proposed!

First meeting: State of play

Suggested duration: 20-30 minutes

Positive round table

• Everyone shares what works well in the family
• The strengths of the current organization are noted
• The successes of the previous year are highlighted

Areas for improvement

• Identifying stressful moments of the day
• Discussion of tasks that create tension
• Sharing frustrations with current routines

Second meeting: Organization of routines

Suggested duration: 20-30 minutes

Morning routine

• Set everyone's wake-up time
• Define the essential steps (toilet, dressing, lunch)
• Create a realistic schedule

The evening routine

• Plan dinner time
• Organize homework and preparation for the next day
• Establish a relaxing bedtime sequence

Third meeting: Distribution of tasks and validation

Suggested duration: 45 minutes

Task inventory

• List all daily tasks
• Identify weekly tasks
• Note seasonal responsibilities

Collaborative attribution

• Take into account each person’s strengths and preferences
• Establish fair rotations
• Create teams for larger tasks

Validation and motivation

• Establish fixed times for verification
• Define clear success criteria
• Reward efforts with General Store tokens

Monitoring and adjustments

Monthly follow-up meetings

Suggested duration: 20-30 minutes

System evaluation

• What works well
• Which requires adjustments
• The challenges encountered

Seasonal adjustments

• Review of tasks according to the season
• Adaptation of schedules (activities, school, sports)
• Planning upcoming events

Practical tools to use

The Routines Table

• Show morning and evening sequences
• Using pictures for younger children
• Provide a verification system

The task schedule

• Assign weekly responsibilities
• Note the planned rotations
• Include space for special tasks

The Monthly Checklist

• Track progress
• Note the points to be discussed
• Celebrating successes

Tips for Success

Maintain regularity

• Set a specific weekly time
• Respect the planned duration
• Ensure everyone's participation

Stay positive

• Celebrate small victories
• Encourage initiatives
• Valuing everyone's efforts

Be flexible

• Accept the necessary adjustments
• Taking into account the unexpected
• Adapt according to everyone's feedback

Key points to remember

• The Family Council is not just a meeting, it is a tool for cohesion
• Participation of all is essential for success
• Decisions made together are more likely to be respected
• Regularity of meetings ensures follow-up and commitment
• Adjustments are part of the process

Conclusion

By using the Family Council as an annual planning tool, you not only create an effective organization, but you also build a family culture based on cooperation and mutual respect. Routines and tasks then become opportunities for learning and growth for all family members.

Remember: Rome wasn't built in a day. Give yourself time to establish these new habits and celebrate every little bit of progress!

🚀 Find this article and much more in the Octave app : shared calendar, collaborative to-do list, meal planner, centralization of family information and autonomy monitoring - your number 1 ally for an organized family life! 📱✨