Family councils often lead to fair solutions of problems between members. Draw up a list of rules for family council meetings that are agreeable to all, such as:

1. Anyone can tell parents how he/she feels, and ask for a meeting.

2. At the meeting, everyone can say that he/she thinks about a situation.

3. Instead of fixing blame, the council must try to understand why there’s a problem.

4. The council will try to create a solution that’s fair to all. Purpose: to encourage family participation in rule making and problem solving.

Paul Lewis, Homemade, Vol. 11, No. 2