You are sitting at your table, looking through your phone and your kid comes to you and says “Papa, can we get a pet turtle?” Or maybe it’s something else.
“Mumma, I don’t want to go to the summer camp you signed me up for.”
What will you do? Will you quickly say, “Not now” or “We’ll talk later”? Or will you stop and listen? Most parents want their kids to be confident decision-makers, but we often forget to make space for their voices.
Why Kids Struggle to Speak Up
Most Indian kids grow up with their schedules planned for school, activities, vacations, and even their playdates. While this makes life organized, it also makes decision-making feel unfamiliar.
Many kids hesitate to share opinions because they fear rejection. They assume, “Papa will say no anyway” or “Mumma won’t listen.” Some don’t know how to explain their ideas because they’ve never been encouraged to do so. Others think their opinions don’t matter because adults always make the rules.
As they grow older, this can become a problem. If kids never practice making decisions, they may struggle later—whether it’s choosing a subject in school, making friends, or standing up for themselves in tough situations.
How Family Meetings Help
Family meetings teach kids something schools don't focus on: how to make decisions and handle different outcomes.
They learn that “no” isn’t the end of the world.
Many kids either expect to get what they want (because they’re used to being pampered) or feel frustrated when they don’t (because they haven’t learned to handle rejection). Family meetings help kids hear “no,” ask why, suggest alternatives, and move on without sulking.
They think before making impulsive choices.
If kids see how decisions are made, they’ll pause before rushing into something. They won’t demand an expensive toy just because a friend has it. Instead, they’ll ask themselves, “Do I need this?”
They gain the confidence to express opinions.
In many Indian families, kids avoid speaking up to keep the peace. They say yes to things they don’t want like an after-school class or even future career choices just to avoid upsetting you. Family meetings encourage them to say, “I don’t agree, and here’s why.”
They learn to make real-world choices.
Schools focus on grades, but life is about balancing different priorities. Family meetings give kids practice in decision-making. If they want a new toy, let them explain why they need it. What’s their budget? Why this one? This prepares them for adult decisions, like managing money and setting priorities.
Making Family Meetings Fun
If you are deciding everything, kids might see meetings as another rule to follow. Instead, make them feel fun and natural.
Let kids make small choices.
Start with simple decisions picking a weekend activity, choosing between two bedtime stories, or deciding on a family snack. Small choices build decision-making confidence.
Turn discussions into a game.
If your child wants a pet, make it fun. Ask them to present their case like a detective. What does a turtle eat? How will they take care of it? This makes learning exciting!
Practice decision-making through play.
When playing pretend games like running a restaurant or setting up a toy store let kids decide the rules. It helps them get comfortable with making choices.
Encourage solutions instead of complaints.
If your child says, “I don’t like my homework,” ask, “What’s your plan to make it better?” This helps them think critically instead of just expecting parents to fix problems.
Model decision-making.
When making choices, think out loud. “Should we go to the park or bake cookies? The park is fun, but it might rain. What do you think?” This teaches kids how to weigh options.
Celebrate their choices.
If they pick the bedtime story or decide what’s for dinner, appreciate it. Feeling heard in small ways builds confidence for bigger decisions later.
Raising Confident, Independent Kids
When kids are included in decisions early, you’ll see a change. They’ll stop hesitating to share ideas at home, in school, in social situations, and later in life. They’ll learn to make decisions, stand by them, and accept failures without feeling bad.
Most importantly, they’ll grow up knowing their voice matters not just in the family but the world.