We think its a great idea to create forms (and make copies and have them ready) for these important meetings. Yes, even for executive meeting...
About parent-child interviews...
When we first introduced this concept to our children, they were not sure they wanted to participate, so we initiated "ice-cream interviews" and they liked them a lot! After a while, they discovered that having mom or dad (or both of us) all to themselves was not all so bad! In fact, the interviews got quite lengthy, so we had to limit the amount of time they could take, and then plan for some more one-on-one time during the week.
The goal was to have personal a parent interview (PPI) with each child each week. More often than not, we ended up having them on fast Sundays. The records kept on our "forms" are priceless. They are a journal of sorts, and have helped us remember what was said and decided, our hopes, dreams, concerns, and feelings...its all there - right on paper!
PS... Don't skip the gratitude and compliments...Mark Twain said he could live four months on a good compliment!
Summary of Family Council
Family home evening is a social and teaching time. In a family council we talk about the needs of the family and the needs of individual members of the family. It is a time to solve problems, make family decisions, plan day-to-day and long-range family activities and goals. It is a time to share one another’s burdens and joys and counsel together, to keep each family member on the right track spiritually. It is the time when we discuss family matters, much as a bishop or branch president does with his ward or branch leaders. It is when parents use the tremendous powers of the council system. A family council could certainly be part of family home evening, but it could also take place at any time.
M. Russell Ballard and Barbara Ballard, “Family Councils: A Conversation with Elder and Sister Ballard,” Ensign, Jun 2003, 14
Family Executive Committee Meeting
Date
Opening Song and Prayer
Applause and gratitude for each other
Applause and gratitude for each other
Agenda (items to discuss)
Discussion of each family member--one by one
Action plans
Time of next Meeting
Hugs and Kisses
Closing prayer
Family Council
Date
Conducting
Opening Song/hymn (can be the one for the month)
Scripture (one for the month or other)
Scripture (one for the month or other)
Opening Prayer
Calendaring: Sunday - Saturday
Stewardship Committee Report and Review
Action plans
Time of next meeting
Hugs and Kisses and Family Squishes
Closing Prayer
Personal Parent Interview (PPI):
Name
Date
Interview with _______________
Scripture of the month (or other)
song (hymn for the month or other)
O.Prayer
Feelings/happy things in life/ compliments/ applause/gratitude/ask for forgiveness
List concerns to be discussed now and/or during
personal/parent time
personal/parent time
Family Night assignment and input
Family Stewardship committee goals, needs and ideas
Calendar items
Finances and tithing
Personal Time with parent or parents for the upcoming week
Dinner day (menu)
Primary/Personal Progress/Scouting/Duty to God info, updates, ideas, goals
hugs and expressions of love to each other
Closing prayerSteven B. Glade, “Twelve Tips for Parent-Child Interviews,” Ensign, Jun 1997, 59
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Carlos E. Asay, “Parent-Child Interviews,” Ensign, Nov 1983, 14
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Wendell P. Droubay, “Heart to Heart,” Ensign, Jun 1997, 57
read
read
M. Russell Ballard, “Counseling with Our Councils,” Ensign, May 1994, 24
read
Ensign, Nov 1993, 76 “M. Russell Ballard, Strength in Counsel,”
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Marvin K. Gardner, “Family Councils: Making Decisions Together,” Ensign, Dec 1978, 18
read
“Working Together in Family Councils,” Ensign, Feb 1985, 28
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Rex W. Allred, “‘Support Your Local Family Council’,” Ensign, Feb 1982, 50
read
"When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever."
Robert D. Hales,
"Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation," Ensign, May 2010, 97
“We should regularly review our family income, savings, and spending plan in family council meetings. This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources. . . . Whenever we want to experience or possess something that will impact us and our resources, we may want to ask ourselves, ‘Is the benefit temporary, or will it have eternal value and significance?’ Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior.”
Robert D. Hales, “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually,” Ensign, May 2009, 9–10
“We should regularly review our family income, savings, and spending plan in family council meetings. This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources. . . . Whenever we want to experience or possess something that will impact us and our resources, we may want to ask ourselves, ‘Is the benefit temporary, or will it have eternal value and significance?’ Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior.”
Robert D. Hales, “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually,” Ensign, May 2009, 9–10