It was a Saturday afternoon when I finally brought it up with Brittany.

We were driving home from one of our kids' games. The kids were laughing in the back seat, but my mind was elsewhere.

For weeks, I’d been thinking about starting a weekly family meeting. Although the idea of a family meeting might sound cold or rigid, meetings are really just an intentional opportunity for people to come together and talk about things that matter. Well run meetings can be really effective outside the home. Why wouldn't we bring the same level of intention to our families?

I wanted to ask Brittany for her take. But I kept hesitating.

I've always been a "try new things" guy, and not all of my ideas end up working out. When I start things and then don't stick with them, I can feel like a failure. I worried Brittany would hear me out and think, here we go again.

Five minutes from home, I finally said it.

“I want to try having a weekly family meeting.”

She looked at me, curious but skeptical. "A meeting? Why? To talk about what?"

I explained it wasn't about running our family like a business. It was about being intentional—making sure we were talking not just about schedules, but about values, direction, and how we were doing as a family. I'd handle the details, but I needed her to show up and support me.

Thankfully, she gave me a yes.

We stumbled through those first few meetings. But they stuck. Years later, our weekly family meeting is one of the most important rhythms we have.

Yes, I’m suggesting you schedule family meetings also.

If you’re like me, the thought of scheduling family meetings might sound boring and formal, something the kids will complain about, something your wife might roll her eyes at or something you’ll start and inevitably fail at.

Most dads want to lead their families with as much intention as they lead at work… they just don’t know where to begin. The family meeting might be the simplest, lowest-bar, highest-impact place to start.

It’s 10-20 minutes a week that help you to reinforce values, build connection, reduce chaos, model leadership and create culture.

Once it sticks it becomes the anchor rhythm for everything else.

Let’s make this clear and easy.

Like any new habit or rhythm, start and small and simple and try pairing it with something you're already doing. When I asked Brittany years ago, I probably made it sound like it was a bigger deal than it actually was. Really, it starts with just adding a few intentional questions to a time when your family is already together.

So that said, here's a clear and easy 10-minute quick-start version.

Your First Agenda (10 Minutes)

1. Opening (2 minutes): Explain that you want to ask some questions and discuss a few things each week, just to better connect as a family. You'll be starting small, and it shouldn't feel like a big deal.
2. Highs and Lows (5 minutes): Go around the circle. Each person shares one high point and one low point from their week.
3. This Week's Calendar (2 minutes): Briefly preview what's coming up: practices, appointments, family events or any other general announcements.
4. Fun Ending (1 minute): End with dessert, a game, or a small prize. Make your kids want to do it again next week.

That's it. Ten minutes. Do this for a few weeks, and you've established the habit.

Schedule it today.

Add this simple framework to an existing family dinner. Or, although it's best to be face to face, add these topics to a car ride together if that's easiest. Whatever feels natural and doable, just get started.

The full framework.

Once you've held 3-4 short meetings and built some momentum, you can expand to a fuller structure by experimenting with additional elements.

To save you lots of trial and error, I put years of learning into a full Family Meeting Guide. This is the same framework that my family has settled into after plenty of experimentation.

Inside the comprehensive 10-page pdf you’ll find:

• An expanded explanation of the benefits of family meetings
• The full 30-minute weekly framework that you can implement over time
• Tips for keeping kids engaged
• How to get buy-in from your wife
• Common obstacles + solutions
• Ways to make it fun (so your kids make sure you never miss)

Email me at andrew@fam-lead.com and I'll reply with the full guide.

One more thing…

In January, I’m launching the next cohort of the 30-Day Family Leadership Sprint — a small group of dads who want to create momentum and get info on the full system. Over 30 days you’ll get daily content, group support and 1-on-1 coaching.

👉 Learn more about the 30-Day Sprint​

-Andrew