For families to succeed, it's important for every member to know that they are important to the group. Sharing information is a key way for family members to coordinate their lives and remain invested in the family.

Family meetings are an excellent place to:

• Coordinate schedules - families can plan for group and individual activities, transportation needs, expenses and materials needed, etc.
• Offer praise - parents can show their approval and offer specific praise to their children for such things as improving in school, helping around the house, getting along with other children, etc. Family meetings can be a wonderful place for children to receive praise because it is "public." The other family members will hear the positive comments, thereby further reinforcing behavior.
• Share really important news - family members will know that they will have a forum at which they will be able to talk about issues that are affecting their lives. For example, they may choose to discuss problems the children are having at school, activities they would like to do as a family, what's happening in their friends' lives, etc.